THE discovery of six Tenaga Nasional Malaysia (TNB) cables buried 1m deep in front of Chowrasta Market in Penang Road has put a damper on an ongoing canopy project there.

Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng said work on the RM2.5mil project which began on Nov 1 was halted upon finding the 120m-long power cables below a drain.

He said the cables needed to be removed first before work could resume on the project to build a 120m-long walkway with glass panel roofing.

He said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) should have informed the traders in the area of the delay.

“TNB said that they might take about two weeks to remove the cables,” he said during a visit to the site recently

A banner showing an artist’s impression of the glass canopy to be put up at the Chowrasta Market in George Town.

“The traders have already given their cooperation and moved out to a temporary place in Jalan Kuala Kangsar nearby.

Teh said if TNB delayed in removing the cables, the project which was scheduled to be ready by April 30 would have to be completed at a later date.

MBPP architect Quah Peng Eow said TNB would have to remove the power cablesand place them at another site near the canopy.

She said 84 traders had moved out from the site to enable the contractor to carry out work on the project.