DEMOLITION OF MARKET AND HAWKER CENTRE AT BLOCK 176, TOA PAYOH (Alternative marketing facilities)

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for National Development whether he will consider requesting the Housing and Development Board to provide alternative marketing facilities for the many residents who will be affected by the impending demolition of the market and hawker centre at Block 176, Toa Payoh, to make way for the Mass Rapid Transit project.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB will develop new market facilities on a site next to the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange to replace the market and hawker centre at Block 176, Toa Payoh, which will be demolished. The proposed facilities include market produce stores, retail shops, food canteens, mini-markets and a parking garage. Tenders will be called later this year and the facilities will be ready in late 1985. The HDB will also convert the void deck at Block 163, Lorong 1, to provide seven units of shops and stores selling market produce by March 1984. As an interim measure, affected residents can use several existing markets and hawker centres within walking distance of Block 176. These are at Blocks 74 and 93 at Lorong 4; Block 188 at Lorong 6; and Blocks 127 and 131-135 at Lorong 1, Toa Payoh.