ECRL northern alignment will have minimal environmental impact, says Wee

KUALA LUMPUR (April 5): The proposed northern alignment of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) will have a minimal environmental impact, according to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. 

Speaking at the media briefing in Putrajaya today, Wee highlighted the ECRL project will not affect the Gombak Quartz Ridge. 

“The proposed design to be constructed for the rail line will be elevated and will traverse through an existing road to go cross the quartz ridge. 

“In short, the ECRL route will avoid the Gombak Quartz Ridge and will also not affect its buffer zone,” he said. 

He added, the Northern Alignment will also not encroach the Batu Dam area, which is one of the dams that supply water to the people of Selangor and the Klang Valley. 

“In fact, the ECRL has mitigation in place to ensure the alignment of the ECRL avoids the Batu Dam and the surrounding water catchment areas,” Wee stressed. 

Meanwhile, the ministry highlighted the Northern Alignment is expected to cross only three water catchment areas between Mentakab and Port Klang while the Southern Alignment is expected to cross at least four water catchment areas. 

“For information, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Northern Alignment has already been approved by the Department of Environment (DOE) in April 2018. 

“The validity period of the EIA Report has been extended by the DOE in March 2020, thus enabling us to track potential impacts on the environment at the project planning and design stages,” it said. 

With the reintroduction of the Northern Alignment, the ministry believes the ECRL will provide organised cargo and passenger transport services between the East Coast and the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, attract investments along the alignment corridor as well as generate many businesses and employment opportunities.

“In short, the implementation of the Northern Alignment is a better option as it provides greater benefits for the national rail network in the long term,” it said. 

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