BATU CAVES: Seven roads around the Batu Caves Temple will be closed beginning today ahead of the Thaipusam celebration on Sunday.
Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Zainal Mohamed Mohamed said they include the Kampung Melayu Batu Caves traffic light junction, Middle Ring Road 2 turnoff to Batu Caves and the traffic light junction in front of the Shell Batu Caves petrol station.
“We will also close the Jalan SBC 8 /Jalan Lama Batu Caves junction, the Middle Ring Road 2 turnoff from Sri Gombak headed to Jalan Perusahaan Batu Caves and Jalan Perusahaan towards the Batu Caves Temple.
“These roads will be closed from 12.01am on Feb 3 until 12.01am on Feb 8,” he told reporters at the Batu Caves Temple police command post yesterday.
He said any decision to reopen the roads earlier or to keep them closed to traffic for a longer period would be done if such a need arises.
“We will keep the public posted through our official Facebook page (Polis Daerah Gombak).
“Checks show that the chariot is expected to leave from the temple in Jalan Tun HS Lee at around 10pm on Friday and arrive at Batu Caves at around 3pm on Saturday,” he said, adding that an estimated two million people were expected to throng Batu Caves between Jan 15 and Feb 15.
He said the public should expect traffic congestion within the Batu Caves area during this period, which is expected to spill over to areas nearby.
He suggested the use of alternative routes and public transport to avoid further traffic congestion.
He also advised motorists not to park illegally and to ensure the safety of their vehicles.
“Use additional security locks especially for motorcycles, watch your valuables closely and beware of pickpockets,” he said, adding that the elderly and disabled should be given due attention.