KL Shopping District Bustling Once More, Five Months After Sinkhole Tragedy

Business in the area 'back to 80%' with Ramadan, its busiest period of the year, just around the corner

- Hazlin Hassan

A shopping district in Kuala Lumpur is gearing up for its busiest period of the year, five months after it made global headlines following a tragic incident in which a tourist from India fell into a sinkhole, leaving the area bereft of shoppers.

Jalan Masjid India and its surrounding streets form the heart of the old quarters of the capital city's most popular outdoor shopping district, with its cheap bajus and saris, traditional Indian and Malay food, and an array of gold jewellery.

Many people avoided the area after the Aug 23 incident in which Ms Vijayalaksmi, 48, from Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh state, fell into an 8m-deep sinkhole that opened up on the pavement in Jalan Masjid India as she was walking towards a nearby temple.

Her body was never found, despite search operations lasting nine days by dozens of municipal and federal workers in large sewer tunnels carrying swift-flowing waters from heavy rain upstream.

The sinkhole, which has since been repaired, has been covered with new black tiles, in contrast to the old, light-brown tiles around it. Many passers-by have been seen strolling nonchalantly across the tiled-over area.

Located between two of the city's historic rivers - Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak - the bazaars and shops of Jalan Masjid India are a must-visit for many Muslims during the Ramadan fasting month, much like the annual bazaars in Singapore's Geylang district.

Ramadan is just around the corner. In 2025, Muslims are expected to start their month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting on March 1 before celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which will most likely be on March 31.

Traders busy at work told The Straits Times on Jan 29 that business has improved significantly since the area was reopened to the public about a month ago.