KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — Putrajaya will spend RM55 million to build the covered pedestrian walkways across the capital city, with the start of work scheduled for January 2027, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh told Parliament this evening.

Under Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) operating expenditure, 22 kilometres of covered walkways will be built across Kuala Lumpur’s parliamentary constituencies, with an allocation of two kilometres per constituency, she said.

Yeoh said the project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.

“While no pedestrian walkways are currently under construction, implementation for next year will begin as early as January 2027,” the minister said when winding up the third stage reading of Budget 2027.

The new rollout follows the success of previous projects from 2023 to date, which span 29 locations totalling 4.35 kilometres.

Yeoh said the walkways are designed to bridge critical urban gaps by connecting residential zones, public facilities, commercial hubs, bus stops, health clinics and places of worship.

DBKL will also construct an additional 20 kilometres of covered pedestrian walkways in the city centre to connect public transport facilities to destinations such as commercial centres, office complexes, and park facilities like the Botanical Garden and Titiwangsa Lake Garden, she added.

The project was first announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he tabled Budget 2027.

Under this federal budget, DBKL received a dedicated allocation to roll out urban infrastructure enhancements as part of a broader RM400 million package aimed at green spaces, parks, and public facility upgrades.

City-centre traffic congestion has worsened over the years, which public transport analysts blame on car-centric policies and subsidies that keep petrol price artificially cheap. 

Yeoh had said that the infrastructure is meant to encourage citizens to walk or use public transit instead of driving.