KTM Komuter Sentul-Batu Caves extension work begins next year

KUALA LUMPUR: Work on the long-awaited KTM Komuter extension from Sentul to Batu Caves will finally begin early next year, with completion scheduled for 2008. 

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the Government would proceed with the RM400mil project to enhance the public transport network in the Klang Valley. 

"The Government has decided to proceed with the extension and when completed, it should add another 10,000 passengers to KTM Komuter's current 81,000 users," he said in a press conference Tuesday after a ceremony at KL Sentral to mark the start of the use of the Touch 'N Go farecard by the KTM Komuter system. 

The 7.2km extension from Sentul to Batu Caves - which involves the building of a second track, stations, electrification and signalling systems - was announced in 1998 but was postponed numerous times. 

The line will have four stations - Batu Cantonment, Batu Village, Taman Wahyu and Batu Caves. 

The 153km KTM Komuter service consists of two lines - Sentul-Port Klang and Seremban-Rawang, which intersect at Kuala Lumpur.