LTA and police unveil additions to Little India

Nearly a year after Singapore's first riot in 40 years, Little India has been made brighter, safer, and even a bit more comfortable.

New street lamps have been erected at 42 locations by the Land Transport Authority, working with the police.

Following the riot on Dec 8 last year, 10 open fields at Little India will also be bathed in light at night.

The areas were chosen because of the large numbers of workers who gather there on weekends.

While the new lamp posts at the field on Birch Road are already in operation, some, like those at the field on Race Course Road, are still being installed.

Two more areas will be fitted with these lights by the end of this month.

They will operate like regular street lamps and are switched on every day from 7pm to 7am.

Generator-powered spotlights have been used as an interim measure until all the lamp posts are ready.

Taking the media on a walkabout in Little India yesterday, Rochor Neighbourhood Police Centre Commanding Officer Ho See Ying said an additional 43 closed-circuit cameras have been installed in public areas there.

As of July, there were 250 police cameras in Little India, including all 41 HDB blocks in the area.

A new bus shelter with ceiling fans has been built on the field at Tekka Lane to make it more comfortable for workers waiting for the Little India Bus Service on weekends.

Another bus shelter at Hampshire Road nearby is in the works, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ho. She added: "Police will continue to monitor the situation and calibrate our measures accordingly."

TEKKA LANE AND FIELD NEXT TO HAMPSHIRE ROAD

THEN: Tekka Lane was the only waiting area for the Little India Bus Service, which ran on Sundays, and foreign workers waited at the

field and by the road for the bus. Queueing was haphazard.

NOW: A new bus shelter built on the field surrounded by Tekka Lane has a queue system in place and ceiling fans. Another bus waiting area is in the works at another nearby field by Hampshire Road.

FIELD NEXT TO RACE COURSE ROAD

THEN: A popular gathering spot for foreign workers on weekends, it was lit only by ambient light from street lamps.

NOW: New lamp posts are being installed in 42 locations, including at least 10 open fields. The others will be at back alleys and open air carparks, common congregation points for foreign workers during their days off.

BABOO LANE/HINDOO ROAD

THEN: Police cameras were in operation, but it is not known how many there were.

NOW: 43 new CCTVs have been installed across the Little India special zone.

BY THE NUMBERS

300: People caught for drinking during the prohibited timings, between April 1 and Nov 30

250: "No drinking zone" metal signs

600: Foam board signs showing a map of the special zone and the timings when consumption of alcohol is prohibited

This article was first published on December 5, 2014.
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