MBPP deploys Ops Payung with checkpoints, CCTV and tow trucks to manage congestion in George Town, Penang Hill and Air Itam during the festive period.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council will implement a comprehensive traffic management plan to tackle congestion during the school holidays and Chinese New Year period.

The council’s Ops Payung will be activated at several key locations from today. Three checkpoints will operate along Jalan Penang at Pasar Chowrasta, in front of the Lebuh Kimberly junction and at Lebuh Keng Kwee from 10am to 5pm daily.

Two checkpoints will be stationed at Penang Hill from noon to 6pm. In Air Itam, five checkpoints will be set up from 4pm to 11pm in conjunction with the festive celebration.

To ease traffic flow, the entry route from Lebuh Light to Jalan Padang Kota Lama in front of Town Hall will be closed daily from 6pm. This is to facilitate smoother vehicle movement out of Padang Kota.

Traffic control will also be enforced along Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah near Dewan Sri Pinang. Tow truck patrols will begin from 6pm to take action against vehicles causing obstruction.

The council will utilise closed-circuit television cameras as “intelligence eyes” to monitor congestion areas. Personnel will be deployed where necessary based on continuous monitoring through the traffic control centre and patrol teams.

All construction and road excavation works along main roads will be suspended during the school holidays. Twenty-four-hour maintenance teams will also be on standby to carry out repairs and address any issues.

 The Sun Malaysia