Tourism potential in 119-year-old railway bridge

The Victoria Bridge was built with materials imported from United Kingdom. – filepic

EFFORTS must be multiplied to seek national-heritage status for the picturesque 119-year-old Victoria Bridge in Kuala Kangsar, says Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

The bridge named after Britain’s Queen Victoria, is located about 15km from Kuala Kangsar and, is currently gazetted as a state heritage site.

Nazri said the railway bridge is highly significant as the construction plans for the bridge were all made in London before it was built in 1897.

“All building materials for the bridge were also brought in from the United Kingdom, exactly what can still be seen today at the site in Karai.

“It is also one of the oldest railway bridges in the country, which is why serious efforts must be taken to preserve and conserve it,” he told reporters after launching KTM Bhd’s new northern Padang Rengas-Bukit Mertajam commuter line at the railway station here on Saturday.

Nazri also urged the Perak government to work on ensuring the structure of the bridge that crosses Sungai Perak is well maintained.

“This would do well in boosting the state’s tourism industry as this is another attraction for foreign tourists.

“With proper planning and development further down the road, we could build chalets and homestays so that visitors can stay longer to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Victoria Bridge,” he said.

Speaking about the new commuter line service, which began operating on Sept 1, Nazri, who is also Padang Rengas MP, said he trusts it will boost the economic and social landscape of the districts linked by this service.

“It takes into consideration the residents living in both urban and rural areas, something that is truly people-centric.

“With Padang Rengas at the start of the commuter service’s northern sector, I’m sure that the town will become more well-known from now on, especially among those who often wonder about our exact location,” he said.

Recalling his times spent as a student studying in Kuala Kangsar, Nazri said the trains then would normally pass Padang Rengas after Kuala Kangsar.

“Today, small towns like ours shouldn’t be considered rural areas anymore, as they are key areas that contribute to the economic development of cities.

“With many employees who work in bigger towns and cities living in the suburbs, this northern route will surely solve most of their travelling woes,” he said.

Nazri said that the northern line is also significant in the fact that it operates on a track that passes through the 3.3km-long Bukit Berapit Rail Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the country.

The Padang Rengas-Bukit Mertajam service offers a total of 22 rides to and fro a day, with a service frequency of every 60 minutes for peak hours between 5.30am to 9am and 6pm to 8pm.

Fares are priced as low as RM2.20 from Padang Rengas to the next stop Taiping, and a maximum fare of RM17.20 from Padang Rengas to Padang Besar, Perlis.

There will be a 50% discount for children aged four to 12, senior citizens and people with special needs. Children aged two and below travel for free.

The service ensures better connectivity and convenience for passengers travelling to northern districts such as Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam in Penang; Sungai Petani and Alor Setar in Kedah; as well as Arau and Padang Besar in Perlis.