ECRL construction progress ahead of target, Dewan Negara told

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Construction of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project continues to advance beyond its original target, said Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah.

Hasbi said as of Nov 30, the overall construction of the project achieved actual progress of 19.69% compared to the original schedule of 18.78%.

He said for Section A from Kota Baru to Dungun which includes the construction of six stations namely Kota Baru, Pasir Putih, Jerteh, Bandar Permaisuri, Kuala Terengganu and Dungun, physical work progress was 0.27% ahead of schedule.

Hasbi said for Section B from Dungun to Temerloh, construction which resumed in July last year, physical work progress has reached 7.54% compared to the schedule of 5.24%, covering earthworks and tunnel construction in Dungun, Paka and Kuantan.

"Preliminary works for the construction of tunnels in Gambang, Sri Jaya, Gedung Siam and Paya Pasir have begun," he said when winding up the debate on the 2021 Supply Bill in Dewan Negara today.

As for Section C from Temerloh to Port Klang, he said the government was studying the best alignment to ensure the ECRL gave maximum economic impact when completed and it would be announced when the study is completed.

On the status of the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport upgrade project in Kelantan, he said the project, which was implemented through a pre-qualifying open tender, was in the final stages of tender evaluation and was expected to be completed this month.

"The appointment of a contractor is scheduled for early next year and the project is expected to be completed in December 2023," he said.

Hasbi said the airport is expected to accommodate four million passengers a year, an increase of 2.5 million passengers compared to the current capacity of 1.5 million passengers a year.

The total capacity of the landing aircraft will be increased from three to eight 4C code aircraft as well as from two ATR 72s to three ATR 72s.

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