Chua Chu Kang Town Council criticised online for installing video information screens in more than 1,600 HDB lifts

The Chua Chu Kang Town Council is installing video screens in more than 1,600 HDB lifts and lift lobbies in an attempt to improve communication with residents in the area.

The new LED screens will have rolling display of video and static footage providing information like progress on upgrading works, local events, weekly news headlines from The Straits Times, and emergency alerts.

Besides that, announcements such as dengue outbreak and water supply outages will also be displayed, if the need arises.

“Traditional notice boards are hard to physically update and cluttered with notices,” said Chua Chu Kang town council chairman Low Yen Ling on Sunday (17 February). “This is the first large-scale installation of LED informational screens in HDB lifts and lift lobbies.”

The project, which was done in partnership with Singapore Press Holdings, was announced on Sunday.

As for the content, it will come from the council along with government agencies, local merchant associations and community organisations.

It is said that less than 30 per cent of it will be advertising, in line with official guidelines.

Since last December, more than 200 panels have been installed, and 1,633 lifts and lift lobbies in Chua Chu Kang GRC and Hong Kah North SMC will have them by June.

Upon reading this announcement, many netizens condemned the town council in the comment section of the Straits Times Facebook post and felt that it was a complete waste of public fund.