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| Little India Development Project |
Background
The Little India area is an important historical site for the Indian
community, which had migrated to Georgetown since the late 18th century.
Therefore the traditional business and cultural activities of the Indians which
are existing in the Little India area are our inherited assets which need to be
preserved, in line with Georgetown's image as a Living Heritage City.
The Little India area is bordered by Masjid Kapitan Keling Road, Chulia Street, Beach Street and China Street, covering approximately 13 acres. The development project covers roads such as Market Street, part of Queen Street, part of King Street, and a part of Penang Street. This project site is part of Georgetown City's conservation area.
The Little India area is a famous shopping destination in Penang and the Northern Region, with many shops and hawkers plying their trade and selling many items for the Indian Community such as retail goods, food, spices, jewellery, kitchen wares, textile and garments, prayer items, etc., imported mainly from India.
The area is busy with shopping activities especially on weekends and during festivals such as Deepavali (Diwali), Ramadhan and Hari Raya Puasa (Eid-Ul-Fitr). This unique culture has turned the Little India area into a famous tourist attraction in Penang.
This development project is financed by allocations from the Ministry of
Culture, Arts & Tourism under the 8th Malaysia Plan 2001/2005. The aim of
this project is to further develop the Little India area as a prime commercial,
cultural and tourist attraction in Penang.
Project Objectives
The objectives of the project have been identified as follows:
1) To upgrade and uplift the public amenities, infrastructure and utilities
in the area.
2) To enhance and increase the economic well-being of the area.
3) To preserve and introduce the cultural heritage of the area.
4) To build confortable and safe pedestrian walkways and crossings for the
public and the less fortunate.
5) To beautify the area by landscaping and providing compatible street furniture
for the comfort and use of residents and visitors.
Project Components
The components of the project are:
· Building and increasing the infrastructure facilities and utility services
in the area, including:
- water pipes
- electrical cables
- sewerage pipes
- telecommunication cables
- drains
· Building pedestrian walkways, fixing street furniture, signages, etc.
· Landscaping works and plantation of trees.
· Making available facilities for the handicapped.
· Making available car parking and other facilities.
· Making available permanent and mobile hawker stalls.
· Loading and unloading allowed only at certain times.
· To make available a Design Guideline to preserve and develop residential and
commercial buildings in the area.
Source: Adapted from the Brochure of the Municipal Council of Penang Island entitiled "Projek Menaiktaraf dan Meningkatkan Penarikan Kawasan "Little India", Georgetown, Pulau Pinang - Projek Kerjasama Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian and Pelancongan dan Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang", prepared by Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (City Council of Penang Island).
