Ipoh police announce road closures and diversions for Thaipusam chariot processions from Jan 31 to Feb 4, advising motorists to use alternative routes.
IPOH: Police have announced staged road closures and diversions for 10 roads around the city in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration from Jan 31 to Feb 3.
The closures will facilitate the chariot procession from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Sungai Pari, Buntong to Sri Subramaniar Temple in Gunung Cheroh, and its return.
Ipoh District Police Chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the outgoing procession begins at 6.00 am on Jan 31 and is expected to conclude at noon.
The return procession from Gunung Cheroh to Buntong will start at 5.00 pm on Feb 3 and is expected to finish at noon on Feb 4.
Roads to be closed in stages include the route from the temple via Jalan Sungai Pari to Jalan Tun Perak, and the Jalan Tun Perak–Jalan Lahat stretch.
Other closures involve Jalan Lahat–Jalan Perhentian, Jalan Lahat–Jalan Sultan Yusof, and Jalan Sultan Yusof–Jalan Sultan Iskandar.
The Jalan Sultan Idris Shah–Jalan Laksamana traffic light junction will also be affected.
Further closures include the Jalan Sultan Idris Shah–Jalan Raja Musa Aziz junction and Jalan Dato’ Onn Jaafar–Jalan Raja Musa Aziz.
The Jalan Raja Musa Aziz–Jalan Dato’ Ahmad Said stretch and Jalan Raja Musa Aziz–Sultan Iskandar Roundabout complete the list.
The public is advised to use eight alternative routes to avoid congestion.
These are Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Jalan Sultan Nazrin Shah, and Jalan Raja Dihilir.
Jalan C.M. Yusof, Jalan Yang Kalsom, and Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil are also recommended alternatives.
“An estimated 500,000 people are expected to attend Thaipusam this year,” said Abang Zainal Abidin.
He advised all road users to plan their journeys and use the alternative routes to reduce congestion.
The public is also reminded to comply with instructions from traffic police on duty throughout the celebration.
