#Latest* Pudu Prison redevelopment to kick off this year

KUALA LUMPUR: The redevelopment of the Pudu Prison site along Jalan Pudu in Kuala Lumpur is expected to commence construction by year-end.

UDA Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Jaafar Abu Hassan told theedgeproperty.com recently, that the developer is “at the tail end of finalising plans for the project and hopes to start building within this year”.

The proposed development plan includes a mall, residential and commercial components, as well as first grade offices.

Sources familiar with the development say the mega project will cover almost 22 acres made up of the Pudu Prison site as well as the adjacent field. It was reported that the developer would set aside RM5 billion for the project.

Parts of Pudu Prison were demolished after the developer handed over a portion of the site for a road expansion and tunnel project to ease traffic congestion in the area. The road expansion is slated for completion by September next year.

UDA Holdings is currently involved in upgrading works of the Puduraya bus terminal in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Jaafar said the upgrading is scheduled for completion by year-end, but expects 80% completion by mid August for Hari Raya.

“Public safety is paramount to us. It is a huge investment for us but the new layout will definitely be better. We are under pressure to perform but we hope the public would appreciate the new fully air-conditioned waiting area,” Jaafar said about the new Puduraya. The budget for the upgrading works of Puduraya is RM52 million. Currently, all bus operations in Puduraya have been redirected to Bukit Jalil.

Among the other projects currently being carried out by UDA Holdings are high-end condominiums Sinaran TTDI in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Gaya Bangsar, both in Kuala Lumpur, as well as it’s on-going township Bandar Tun Hussein Onn in Cheras and pockets of residential developments in Penang.