COMMUTERS using the Bandar Baru Kuala Selangor Bus Terminal are in a flap over pigeons roosting in the rafters of the vandalised first floor of the bus station that used to be occupied by traders.
Office workers and traders working opposite the bus terminal were worried that the thick covering of dried pigeon droppings on the first floor could be carried by the winds and lead to a number of illnesses.
Feral rock pigeons, which are stout-bodied and pale grey birds with black patterns, are often seen scavenging for food in flocks around the bus station before returning to their “homes” on the first floor in the late evenings.
Bandar Baru Kuala Selangor Bus Terminal is sandwiched by Jalan Melati 3/17 and Jalan 3/19 within the commercial quarter but there are also residential units in the surrounding area.
Businessman Chong Hee Fah, 58, said the shops on the first floor of the bus station had closed down in mid-2005 and unscrupulous individuals had stripped the aluminium and metal fittings from the shop lots.
“All the shop lots there have been damaged. I work within walking distance to the bus station and I am worried the pigeon droppings will cause illnesses.
Kuala Selangor Bus Terminals first floor covered in pigeon droppings is a health hazard.
Kuala Selangor Bus Terminal’s first floor covered in pigeon droppings is a health hazard.
“Fine particles of the bird droppings along with feathers sometimes land on our cars after a gust of wind blows through the bus terminal,” he added.
Assistant officer Amira Kadir, 22, who works for Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) Zone 3B councillor Nor Azhar Jamil, said the first floor of the bus station had been abandoned for some time and she hoped the local council would revive it.
Klang Consumer Association president Devadass Anjan urged MDKS to conduct an immediate clean up of the pigeon droppings at the bus station as these birds could transmit various diseases.
“Commuters, shoppers, people working around the area and even those living within a short distance from the bus station could suffer from respiratory diseases, rashes and allergies.
“Children would be more at risk and MDKS must clean up the bus station,” he said.
Devadass added that MDKS must install pigeon spikes on the ledges and fence up the openings of the first floor to curb the problem.
The first floor of the Kuala Selangor Bus Terminal off Jalan Melati 3/19 that used to house various trading booths have been abandoned and is now a place for pigeons to roost making it a messy affair and health hazard. —Photos by KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
The first floor of the Kuala Selangor Bus Terminal off Jalan Melati 3/19 that used to house various trading booths have been abandoned and is now a place for pigeons to roost making it a messy affair and health hazard.
According to a medical practitioner, pigeon droppings could cause histoplasmosis, a fungal disease that develops in the droppings and is carried by the wind.
“Signs of histoplasmosis begin to show about two weeks after initial infection and it causes tiredness, fever and chest pains,” she said.
MDKS secretary Azahari Sairin said the pigeon problem at the bus station was difficult to solve as the first floor had been abandoned for a decade.
“For 10 years, the first floor had been left vacant. For a short time, there were other businesses but most left within a month or two.
“As a result of food remnants available in back lanes and some people feeding the pigeons, the flock has thrived,” he said.
Azahari said MDKS would conduct a thorough clean up of the first floor and use bristling wires or spikes to fence the openings to discourage the birds from getting into the building.
“MDKS has allocated RM50,000 to refurbish the first floor of the bus station and work will begin in the first quarter of 2016.
“Our aim is to encourage the sale of local handicraft and household decorations that could bring tourists and locals to the commercial area,” he said.
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