JALAN TUN ABDUL RAZAK BRIDGE IN IPOH TO OPEN TEMPORARILY FOR THAIPUSAM PROCESSION

IPOH, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has carried out various safety tests on the Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Bridge before deciding that it is safe to be used during the Thaipusam celebration this Sunday.

Perak Health, Human Resources and Indian Community Affairs Committee chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan said the bridge, which was undergoing repair works, would only be open to vehicles involved in kavadi procession activities from Jan 31 to Feb 2.

“MBI has agreed for the bridge to be opened temporarily on the condition that only vehicles not exceeding three tonnes and carrying kavadi are allowed to pass through the bridge.

“If any other public vehicles are found using the bridge, the police will take appropriate action,” he said at a press conference after chairing a Thaipusam coordination meeting at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here today.

Previously, Ipoh Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah was reported as saying that permission to use the bridge route was granted solely for the celebration, subject to compliance with specific conditions.

Meanwhile, Sivanesan said about 500,000 Hindu devotees from across the country, including members of the public and foreign tourists, were expected to visit the Sri Subramaniar Temple at Gunung Cheroh here in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration.

He said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran were expected to attend the celebration at about 10 am.

-- BERNAMA