Dormitory in Serangoon Gardens To Get Go Ahead

The decision for the government to convert an old school site at upper middle class residential area - Serangoon Gardens into a dormitory had been given the go ahead. Before this final decision, the residents or more than 1,000 had signed a petition against this. The residents were concerned over this issue in the past month and weren't very happy about it.


I was wondering perhaps they are concerned because they do not want their home ground to lose the privacy like those who lived in Tekka market who has foreign workers sleeping on their doorsteps and some who had been drunk loitering around. Some voiced out their concern about security issues as they have young daughters and children. The government were mindful of their concerns and had actually decided to work towards having a road connected to the CTE and Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 so that the dormitory that ferries the workers to work will bypass the Serangoon Gardens estate. The entrance that opens to Burghley Drive will be closed and only open for emergency access. Also the government will also cap the number of foreign workers at 1,000 and for a start, will only have 600.

There will be pass identification system put in place, and activities that will not be allowed beyond a certain hour. There will also be amenities like provision shops and recreational corners in the dormitory as well.

I saw the television interviews that the residents were disappointed with the decision. Perhaps it takes a while before they finally accept this. The only consolation for the residence was that this will be temporary housing and not more than 5 years.