Tactile path torn up, blind community cries foul

Visually-impaired pedestrians in Brickfields are up in arms over the removal of facilities that assist them.

Facilities such as tactile walking paths, pedestrian gates and junction ramps along Jalan Tun Sambanthan and Jalan Tun Sambanthan 4 were torn up without notice last week by the contractor, Malaysian Resource Corporate Bhd (MRCB).

Those concerned are now dicing with danger as they negotiate their way to work or home. A casualty was reported last Wednesday, when a visually-impaired pedestrian was injured when she fell into a construction hole.Nur Haryati was on her way to the Bank Simpanan Nasional branch in Jalan Tun Sambathan when the incident happened.

Her friend Lee Yoke Kum , who is also visually-impaired, bemoaned that the authorities had seemingly failed to plan ahead when carrying out construction works.She said it is only when someone is injured that they put up barriers and station workers to provide assistance.

'Development causing chaos'

Comprising of a traffic dispersal scheme, KL Sentral and the Little India project, the RM110 million Brickfields development plan was launched by the Federal Territories Ministry last year to transform the medium-size neighbourhood into a world class commercial and lifestyle hub. Lee, 58, however, said the development has created chaos.

“First the road was made one-way, making us vulnerable to fast-moving vehicles. Then a shortage of parking emerged, and this discouraged customers who come here for a massage. Now they have torn out the entire tactile path," said Lee, who is a masseuse.

"We have no idea how long we will have to bear with this. They have no coordination in doing things."
She hoped that the project is not being carried out "merely to win over the Indians' hearts".
Another visually-impaired person, who wanted only to be known as Jack, urged the authorities to come to the ground and listen to the grassroots.

“There's no point in having development if they cannot even ensure the basic safety of people,” he said. Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Heng Sai Kee advised Nur Haryati to apply for funds set aside for those who are underprivileged.

She added that, under normal circumstances, those visually impaired should be informed before the tactile path is removed.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/151318