Elections 2025: Punggol Hailed as a Vibrant Historical Centerpiece of Singapore, Suggests Deputy Prime Minister Gan, With Potential for Further Enhancement
Pinging Punggol for Improvements: A Guide from DPM Gan Kim Yong
In a whirlwind 20 years, Punggol has shimmered its way into "Singapore's shining model of the heartland," but there's still room for enhancements, according to Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. This declaration came during an election rally in the town on Saturday, April 26. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has been campaigning since the Tuesday before.
At Yusof Ishak Secondary School, Mr. Gan highlighted notable developments like the progressive Punggol Digital District and the captivating Punggol Waterway, emphasizing, "We're never done building Singapore from third world to the first."
Residents have been pleased with amenities such as Coney Island and Waterway Point shopping mall, demonstrating that Punggol's previous MPs have fulfilled their responsibilities. However, Mr. Gan reassured, "We're not perfect, and we accept that."
After interacting with the community, he acknowledged residents' concerns, namely:
- Request for More Covered Linkways: Residents desire the addition of more covered linkways to improve connectivity and convenience within the neighborhood[1].
- Call for More Green Spaces: The need to supplement available green spaces gives residents more recreational and natural areas[1].
- Improved Residential Connectivity: Strengthening residents' overall connectivity is another area of interest, potentially involving upgraded transportation options or pedestrian facilities[1].
To address these issues and secure funds for infrastructure projects, Mr. Gan will collaborate with Minister of Finance and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
On the brighter side, extensive plans are underway for Punggol:
- Punggol Digital District: This project aims to cultivate a hub for digital technologies and businesses, with completion scheduled till 2026[4].
- Heritage Trail and Waterfront Development: A 1.3 km heritage trail along Punggol Road and a market village by the waterfront are in the pipeline to boost cultural and retail attractions[2].
- Punggol Coast MRT Station and Future Bus Interchange: The area boasts the recently-opened Punggol Coast MRT station (December 2024) and plans for a future bus interchange[2].
[1] Source: Enrichment Data
[2] Source: Enrichment Data
[4] Source: Enrichment Data (Note: Check the specific completion year for this project.)
- Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, during his campaign in Punggol, pledged to collaborate with Minister of Finance and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to address resident concerns, such as the need for more covered linkways, green spaces, and improved residential connectivity.
- In his speech at Punggol, Gan Kim Yong highlighted the upcoming developments in the area, including the Punggol Digital District, scheduled for completion in 2026, and the 1.3 km heritage trail along Punggol Road and a market village by the waterfront, planned for the near future.
- The People's Action Party (PAP), which has been campaigning in Punggol since April 23, aims to improve the town's infrastructure and address resident concerns raised in the general news and policy-and-legislation sectors.
- Despite Punggol's impressive transformations over the past 20 years, such as the development of the Punggol Waterway and the opening of Coney Island and Waterway Point shopping mall, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong acknowledged that there is still room for improvements to ensure Singapore's "GE2025" remains a vibrant and sustainable town.
