By Priya Menon

New roads and a walkway connecting major tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur will be ready soon.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said that plans to build roads connecting Jalan Chow Kit, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman are under way.

"Out of the three phases, the first is already complete and this is the road linking Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. The cost of this project is RM14mil(S$5.8 mil)," Zulhasnan said.

The next phase is to build a road from Jalan Raja Abdullah to Jalan Tun Razak at the cost of RM40mil and lastly a walkway connecting Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Chow Kit with an estimated cost of RM8.6 mil.

"We are now at the design stage and we are looking for the right company to award the tender to," he added.

The new projects are part of the Federal Territories Ministry's plans to boost the image of Chow Kit.

Zulhasnan announced these plans at the launch of the "Program Gerakan Tumpuan (PGT)" in Chow Kit recently.

The programme is designed to deter crime, drug deals, prostitution, illegal immigrants and unlicensed vendors.

In the past, PGT was carried out in four different areas beginning with San Peng, Taman Sri Sentosa in Old Klang Road, Kampung Kerinchi as well as Semarak Flats in Setiawangsa.

"It is a year-long programme and we are happy with the results in the first four places," he added.

The local market which draws local and foreign crowds may be relocated to a better spot to ensure that vendors and shoppers alike can benefit from it.

As for safety issues, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) along with 21 government agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police, National Anti Drug Agency, Rela as well as the Fire Department will join forces to clean up Chow Kit.

"We have to work as a group because the DBKL does not have the power to carry out different tasks," he said.

The deputy OCPD of Dang Wangi Superin-tendent Sulaiman Salleh said that the crime rate in Chow Kit had decreased since last year.

Zulhasnan said Chow Kit, like other tourist spots, should reflect Kuala Lumpur's holistic development plans.

"All these plans are to ensure that KL becomes sustainable, liveable and a vibrant city," he said.