SOME two million Hindu devotees and visitors are expected to throng Batu Caves for the annual Thaipusam celebration, which begins Sunday. 

Gombak police chief Zainal Mohamed Mohamed said traffic congestion around Batu Caves is expected to last from today until February 6. 

The chariot procession will leave the temple on Jalan Tun H.S. Lee around 10pm on Friday and arrive at Batu Caves around 3pm on Saturday, he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Seven roads around Batu Caves will be closed from midnight until February 8.

The seven roads are:

1. Kampung Melayu Batu Caves traffic light junction
2. MRR2 turnoff to the Batu Caves temple
3. Jalan Batu Caves Lama to the main entrance of the Batu Caves temple
4. Traffic light junction in front of the Batu Caves Shell station
5. Jalan SBC 8/Jalan Batu Caves Lama junction
6. Middle Ring Road 2 turnoff from Sri Gombak to Jalan Perusahaan
7. Jalan Perusahaan toward the Batu Caves temple

Zainal Mohamed said alternative routes will be updated through the Gombak police district headquarters Facebook page.

“Road users are advised to use alternative roads and public transport to avoid traffic jams,” he said.

Sentul police chief Beh Eng Lai in a statement today said traffic on several roads will be diverted on Saturday from 4am to 10am for the chariot procession. 

The roads include Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (both ways) from the Sentul police headquarters traffic light intersection to the Jalan Perhentian traffic light intersection, and the same stretch between 6pm and midnight on February 6. 

Beh advised road users to plan their journeys and choose alternative routes to avoid getting caught in traffic jams.

IN IPOH, police said there will be diversions and road closures in several areas from 6pm tomorrow until February 7 in conjunction with the celebration. 

Ipoh police chief Yahaya Hassan said the first phase of road closures and traffic diversions will take place from 6pm tomorrow until 12.30am Saturday during the chariot procession from Sri Maha Mariamman temple on Jalan Sungai Pari to Sri Subramaniar temple in Gunung Cheroh. 

“The final phase is during the chariot’s return to Sri Maha Mariamman temple from 4.30pm on February 6 until 10.30am the next day,” he said.

Among the routes involved in the chariot procession are Jalan Sungai Pari, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Lahat, Jalan Sultan Yusoff, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Jalan Laxamana, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Jalan Raja Ekram, Jalan Dato’ Onn Jaafar, Jalan Dato’ Ahmad Said, the hospital roundabout, and Jalan Perhentian. – Bernama, February 2, 2023.