Deepavali: 73 per cent increase in vehicles expected on KL-Karak Expressway

10 Nov 2023 05:11pm

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Bernama FILE PIX

KUANTAN - Concessionaire ANIH Bhd expects 692,000 vehicles to use the Kuala Lumpur-Karak (KLK) and the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT1) for four days from today, which is an increase of 73 per cent from the average number of daily traffic.

Its chief executive officer, Imran Gulcharan Abdullah said 284,000 vehicles were expected to pass through LPT1, which is an estimated increase of 58 per cent.

"In preparation for this, ANIH Bhd is increasing its number of support staff by 60 per cent, comprising toll plaza staff, LPT Ronda teams and members of the Traffic Command Centre (TCC) team during that period, in addition to opening more toll lanes if necessary.

"A total of 150 members of the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA) will be deployed in strategic areas along the expressways to ensure smooth traffic flow,” he said in a statement today.

He also encouraged road users to use the Travel Time Advisory (TTA) issued as a guide for today and tomorrow. Those heading to Kelantan are advised to hit the highway before 10 am or after 5 pm, while those going to Terengganu (before 10 am or after 8 pm) and those bound for Pahang (after 10 am or 8 pm).

For those travelling to the capital or Selangor on Monday, commuters from Kelantan are recommended to enter the highway after 3 pm or 10 pm, those from Terengganu (after 11 am or 5 pm) and those from Pahang (after 10 am or 5 pm).

Touch 'n Go users are also reminded to touch the card on the detector at the toll booth although the government has announced free tolls in conjunction with the Deepavali festival, besides making sure to exit the highway on the designated day and time to enjoy the free toll.

Users may log on to the official Facebook account @Lebuhraya Pantai Timur and the X (formerly known as Twitter) account @LPTTrafik as well as the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) @llmtrafik for highway-related information and contact the LPT-Line at 1-700-818-700 or the LLM line at 1800-88-7752 in case of emergencies. - BERNAMA