newly formed People’s Action Party (PAP) government aggressively promoted the site as a lightweight industrial area. 1975-: Development of Bukit Batok New Town began in December 1975, transforming the former quarrying village into a self-sustainable new town in the rough span of a decade. As a testament to its heritage, several norite formations and ridges remained preserved, most of which can be found at both Bukit Batok Nature Park and Bukit Batok Town Park as a characteristic feature of the modern-day town. Earthworks to build Bukit Batok started in 1979. The first HDB estates with blocks numbered Blk 2xx were completed in 1983, followed by 1xx and 6xx in 1985. Subsequently, the blocks at Bukit Gombak were finished in 1987, with Block numbered 3xx ready for occupancy in 1989. Earthworks at Bukit Batok West began later, and is currently being developed. The first set of Blocks numbered 4xx were completed between late 2018 and early 2019 and have since been occupied, with more blocks currently being built in the process. Geography Location Bukit Batok Planning Area is bordered by six other planning areas - Choa Chu Kang to the north and northwest, Bukit Panjang to the northeast and east, Clementi to the south, Bukit Timah to the southeast, Jurong East to the southwest and Tengah to the west. Bukit Batok New Town is located within Bukit Batok Planning Area. Subzones Bukit Batok Planning Area is divided into 9 subzones: Commercial activities Bukit Batok's main shopping complex West Mall was opened in mid-1998. Developed by Alprop Pte. Ltd., a joint venture between the United Industrial Corporation (UIC) and Singapore Land, it has 7 storeys in total gross floor area of 283,000 sq ft (26,300 m²) on a land area of 106,000 sq ft (9,800 m²). It was built at a cost of S$170 million and houses amenities including a post office, Community Library and Cineplex, together with shops, restaurants and a supermarket. Transport There are two MRT stations in the Bukit Batok area: Bukit Batok MRT station and Bukit Gombak MRT station. The Bukit Batok Bus Interchange, sited near to Bukit Batok MRT station and West Mall, is of moderate size and nearly completely used by Tower Transit Singapore. The interchange and most of the services were previously operated by Singapore Bus Services (the precursor of SBS Transit), until 26 December 2000, when bus services were transferred to Trans-Island Bus Services