KANGAR: After being closed for almost four years, the pedestrian bridge that links Padang Besar KTM railway station and the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex has finally reopened.
The 350m pedestrian bridge was closed on Sept 1, 2020 by the Perlis Immigration Department for safety reasons following the series of arrests involving illegal entrance attempts by foreigners.
The temporary closure was also done to make way for the bridge's corridor upgrading words and the construction of a fenced walkway connecting the pedestrian bridge from the ICQS Complex to the Padang Besar roundabout.
State Infrastructure and Public Transport Committee chairman Izizam Ibrahim said the reopening of the pedestrian bridge was the result of discussion with the Railway Asset Corporation, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and the Immigration Department.
"After being closed for four years, we have reached an agreement to reopen the pedestrian bridge that was delayed in November for certain reasons, from 6am to 10pm daily.
"With the reopening of the pedestrian bridge, we have resolved two or three issues concerning the ease of the visitors who arrive by train, but we have also identified several matters that need improvement later on.
"This includes the disabled-friendly facility since the pedestrian bridge only has a staircase for now, meaning that disabled persons might have to still use the service of cabs or e-hailing," he said when met at the State Legislative Assembly building here yesterday.
He said at the same time, the reopening of the pedestrian bridge might have an impact on the taxi and e-hailing drivers who are transporting passengers to the Padang Besar arcade.
"I will be meeting them to find the best solution on the matter and at the same time we need to come up with an alternative to create more activities at the railway station.
"There are a few potential investors who have expressed their interest to develop the railway station's surrounding area," he said.
Earlier, Izizam and representatives from the RAC, KTMB and Perlis Immigration Department visited the site.
The fenced walkway, built at a cost of RM250,000 is also equipped with security cameras.
Based Perlis Immigration record, there has been a drop in the arrests of illegal immigrants at the pedestrian bridge between 2018 and 2019.
In 2018, 12 illegal immigrants were arrested and the number was down to six in 2019.
