Several roads in Banda Hilir to be closed on Saturdays for vehicle-free zone trial run
16 Aug 2023 03:29pm
Malacca River - Picture for illustrative purposes - FILE PIX
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State senior Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said the road closure would start at 6 pm and last until midnight.
He said the 2.4km stretch-closure involved Jalan Istana, Jalan Mahkamah, Jalan Gereja, Lorong Gereja, Jalan Laksamana as well as parts of Jalan Tun Khalil Yaakob and Jalan Merdeka.
"The trial run will begin with the Ride and Run programme this Saturday from 6 pm to midnight, and we will look at what the people, tourists, and traders have to say about the initiative.
"Throughout the trial run period, we will also provide a buggy service to transport tourists to their hotels or accommodations along the closed routes,” he told reporters after the Melaka Historic City Council’s (MBMB) monthly assembly and the Fly the Jalur Gemilang Campaign here today.
Also present was Melaka Historic City Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman.
Elaborating, Rais said the road closure will not result in the relocation of business sites in Banda Hilir, such as Uptown Pahlawan Walk.
Meanwhile, Shadan said the temporary closure of the roads will give space to handicraft traders around the area such as at Medan Samudera, to do business along the roadsides.
He said, however, that the permission is subject to several conditions, among which the tent used must meet the set standards and the area must be kept clean.
"This effort is expected to not only attract more tourists, but it can also improve the economy of small traders in the area,” he said - BERNAMA
