Channel NewsAsia - 57 minutes
ago
SINGAPORE: The Tekka Centre, which is located at Blk 665,
Buffalo Road, will close for upgrading on 1 May 2008 till the third
quarter of 2009.
It will be given a makeover under the National Environment
Agency (NEA)’s Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme (HUP).
The market cum hawker centre was built in 1980 and has become a
tourist attraction over the years.
NEA said the upgraded centre will be more accessible as there
will be provisions such as escalators, lifts and wider passageways
for the elderly and handicapped. The centre’s total seating
capacity will also be increased after the upgrading.
During the upgrading period, about half of the stallholders will
continue their business operations at a temporary centre located
between Northumberland Road and Race Course Road.
Most of the remaining stallholders have decided to rest during
the upgrading period.
The NEA manages 112 markets/food centres. To date, 62
markets/food centres have been upgraded. The centres currently
undergoing upgrading include Blk 335 of Smith Street and Geylang
Serai Market. — CNA/vm