Flood-stricken Gemas-Tumpat rail line to be repaired next year

Reports by RAHIMY RAHIM, HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM, MARTIN CARVALHO and TARRENCE TAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The Gemas-Tumpat rail line which was discontinued in 2014 due to floods is expected to be repaired by the middle of next year, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said RM874.7mil had been allocated to upgrade track infrastructure and trains in the east coast sector.

From the figure, RM778mil will be used for railway infrastructure rehabilitation projects and RM96.7mil for station rehabilitation and other railway infrastructure affected by major floods in the east coast, said Dr Wee.

“The entire repair work for track infrastructure in the East Coast is expected to be completed by mid-2021,” he added.

Dr Wee said this in response to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PAS-Pasir Mas), who asked when the train service from Tumpat, Kelantan to Kuala Lumpur would resume.

Dr Wee said the government was prioritising upgrading and repair works on the Gemas-Tumpat line.

“The floods that struck the east coast on Dec 22, 2014, caused extensive damage to the track infrastructure, signage equipment as well as track maintenance machinery which was submerged in water.

“There was also severe damage to office buildings, stations and quarters especially in Manik Urai, Dabong, Kemubu, Kuala Krai and Chegar Perah,” he said.

Dr Wee also said legal action could be taken against contractors over delays in repair works for trains.

“There are three contractors, some are more competent and some are 25% behind schedule. We have already taken action.

“If they are late, we will summon them and ask them to pay,” he said in Parliament during Ministerial Question Time yesterday.

Dr Wee also gave a breakdown of the repair works.

He noted that track rehabilitation from Gemas to Mentakab, undertaken by Hikmat Asia Sdn Bhd, costing RM216.9mil was 86.44% completed.

The Mentakab to Gua Musang track rehabilitation, under Fajarbaru Builder Sdn Bhd, which cost RM259.7mil was 97.08% completed, he said.

The Gua Musang to Tumpat track rehabilitation, said Dr Wee, was taken by Emrail Sdn Bhd with the cost of RM301.4mil and was 75% completed.