THE reconstruction of the area where a sinkhole has appeared in Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur is expected to take three to six months, Mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif said

She said that the work will cover about 200 metres, from Wisma Yakin to the police pondok in Jalan Masjid India.

The area has been cordoned off to facilitate repairs and allow investigation into underground utilities.

“Inspecting the underground utility systems will take time and involve agencies such as Indah Water Konsortium and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) to check for any pipe leaks,” she was quoted as saying by Bernama.

“We will also collaborate with telecommunications companies to inspect cables, as there are cables from these companies in the underground sections. The Department of Minerals and Geoscience will provide detailed technical reports and information on the soil stability around the incident site.”

Maimunah said a special committee, formed on August 25, is scheduled to meet today to discuss the next steps.

She assured traders in the area that they could continue to do business as usual. However, the public is advised to avoid crossing the police yellow tape and to use only the designated pedestrian paths during the repair process.

“We want to prevent any further untoward incidents,” she added.

On Saturday, Federal Territories Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced the end of the search for Indian tourist G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48, who had fallen into a sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India. The search had run for nine days.

It was reported that the Vijaya’s family had performed the last rites yesterday at the sinkhole site. Astro Awani said her husband, son, and daughter lit oil lamps and rang a bell as part of a Hindu ritual. They also took home a clump of earth from the site.

The family flew back to India late yesterday. – September 2, 2024.