Traders await facelift
IF there is one place where rats are aplenty in Penang, it would be at the Chowrasta market in Jalan Penang.
The market, built some 120 years ago, has the dubious distinction of housing some of the biggest rats in the country.
Abu Bakar Pakir, a butcher here, said the rodents, some as big as cats, would roam the market at night.
"The rat menace is so terrible that we have to store our goods properly.
"Otherwise, our regular customers would have fallen sick," said Abu Bakar of the market, which is now undergoing a RM12.1 million facelift.
He said other than rats, which nest under the market, shortage of parking was another major concern for both traders and patrons.
"There is limited parking for vehicles in the area.
"To worsen the situation, illegal traders sell their wares at the parking lots outside the market."
Further compounding the problem, said housewife Noraini Hussain, is the scramble for parking with patrons of the various eateries near the market.
She said market-goers have to "fight" with the restaurant patrons for parking space.
"We have no choice but to get to the market early to get a parking space," said the 35-year-old.
Despite the rat situation and parking shortage, she said many people still do their shopping at the market.
"It is close to our homes and the prices for most goods are quite reasonable."
Regular patron Tan Ley Chin, 52, described the market as "quite dirty".
He said there used to be about 10 and 12 people assigned to sweep and clean the market.
"These days, one could only find two or three people working.
"I am glad the market is undergoing a major facelift. I hope the rat problem can be eradicated and the market will be cleaner."
The market renovation works, which started early this year and expected to be completed in March 2015, would provide more room for traders.
At present, some 90 traders are selling their wares at the market. When completed, the market could take in about 170 traders.
The number of traders outside the market would be reduced by almost half, from 138 to 66.
Once ready, some 120 parking lots would also be available.
The market renovation works, which is expected to be completed in March 2015, would provide more room for traders.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
IF there is one place where rats are aplenty in Penang, it would be at the Chowrasta market in Jalan Penang.
The market, built some 120 years ago, has the dubious distinction of housing some of the biggest rats in the country.
Abu Bakar Pakir, a butcher here, said the rodents, some as big as cats, would roam the market at night.
"The rat menace is so terrible that we have to store our goods properly.
"Otherwise, our regular customers would have fallen sick," said Abu Bakar of the market, which is now undergoing a RM12.1 million facelift.
He said other than rats, which nest under the market, shortage of parking was another major concern for both traders and patrons.
"There is limited parking for vehicles in the area.
"To worsen the situation, illegal traders sell their wares at the parking lots outside the market."
Further compounding the problem, said housewife Noraini Hussain, is the scramble for parking with patrons of the various eateries near the market.
She said market-goers have to "fight" with the restaurant patrons for parking space.
"We have no choice but to get to the market early to get a parking space," said the 35-year-old.
Despite the rat situation and parking shortage, she said many people still do their shopping at the market.
"It is close to our homes and the prices for most goods are quite reasonable."
Regular patron Tan Ley Chin, 52, described the market as "quite dirty".
He said there used to be about 10 and 12 people assigned to sweep and clean the market.
"These days, one could only find two or three people working.
"I am glad the market is undergoing a major facelift. I hope the rat problem can be eradicated and the market will be cleaner."
The market renovation works, which started early this year and expected to be completed in March 2015, would provide more room for traders.
At present, some 90 traders are selling their wares at the market. When completed, the market could take in about 170 traders.
The number of traders outside the market would be reduced by almost half, from 138 to 66.
Once ready, some 120 parking lots would also be available.
The market renovation works, which is expected to be completed in March 2015, would provide more room for traders.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
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