KUALA LUMPUR: Seven roads will be closed to give way for Hindu devotees to celebrate Thaipusam in Batu Caves starting tonight at 10pm.
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan this was to facilitate the 1.5 to 2 million visitors who were expected to attend the celebration this year.
He the seven roads under the administration of the Gombak police headquarters will be closed until Jan 27.
These roads include the intersection of Jalan Bunga Raya heading to Jalan Batu Caves, traffic lights at Jalan Station (Batu Caves Bypass), exit from the Batu Caves roundabout (MRR2) heading to Batu Caves temple, exit from Gombak (MRR2) heading to Batu Caves temple, intersection of Jalan SBC 8 and Jalan Lama Batu Caves, Jalan Perusahaan heading to Batu Caves temple, and lastly, the traffic light junction at Sri Batu Caves heading out to MRR2.
Hussein said, in conjunction with Op Palu 2024, 1,600 police officers from the state and other states have been assigned to ensure the safety and smooth traffic flow of visitors heading to Batu Caves during the Thaipusam celebration.
"Therefore, the public can use alternative routes recommended by the police, which will be updated through the Gombak police's social media platform.
"On Jan 13, the transport minister announced free rides for Rapid Bus and (KTM) Komuter services for visitors to Batu Caves from Jan 24 to Jan 25.
"Visitors planning to attend Batu Caves are advised to use the provided public transportation. Road users are also advised to use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion during this celebration," he told reporters.
He also said the Batu Caves area was a no-fly zone for drones, hence those intending to operate drones in the area must obtain prior approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
Hussein warned that legal action would be taken against those who fail to comply with regulations.
"If we look at past records, there haven't been any serious incidents during the Thaipusam celebration except for records indicating that some people's belongings were lost, and the like.
"Therefore, we advise visitors to take precautionary measures such as parking at designated areas, ensuring that parked vehicles are locked, and not leaving keys in the vehicles to prevent incidents such as theft or the loss of belongings.
"Visitors are also advised to always wear face masks in crowded and narrow spaces. Cooperate and comply with police instructions, plan your journey in advance, and use alternative routes to facilitate travel," he added.
He also said police will set up several static points for the public to access police services, either to report any incidents or to seek assistance.
These static points are easily visible and can be seen from a distance, he said, in addition to the traffic policemen on the roads.
Road closure information will be displayed on electronic billboards from the Batu Caves roundabout towards Gombak starting today as well as on the official Facebook page of the Gombak district police.