Kuala Lumpur: The first phase of a project
to renovate an ethnic Indian community dominated suburb near
here into 'Little India' is expected to be completed in time
for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's first official visit to
Malaysia next month.
The chaotic and crowded main street at Brickfields,
lined by several shops selling Indian clothes, music and
groceries, has been brought to order by setting up kiosks for
flower and fruit sellers.
Work is also on to complete the arches being set on
either side of the roads. The ornamental arches, a fou ntain,
cobbled pavements are some of the features of the new 'Little
India'.
Deputy Federal Territory and Urban Well-Being Minister M
Saravanan said about 60 per cent of the work had been done and
the rest was expected to be completed by October 15.
"Work on the lights, arches and the main gate are in
progress now," he told reporters after checking on the work
progress with Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Vijay
Gokhale on Monday.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his Indian counterpart
Manmohan Singh would visit Brickfields on October 27 to launch
"Little India", Saravanan said.
"Manmohan Singh's visit to Malaysia is set to boost
ties and explore the possibility of intensifying cooperation
in areas such as trade, business, science and technology
between the two countries," he said, adding around 20,000
people were expected to attend the 'Little India' event.
The country's tallest fountain, standing at 7.62 metres,
would be constructed in the area, Saravanan said.
The first phase of the project, costing seven million
ringgit (USD 2.26 million), started in May.
PTI
First Published: Monday, September 13, 2010, 19:06