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KOTA BARU: The progress of the 48.86km section of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Kelantan has reached 83.27% as of September, says Kelantan Public Works Department (JKR) director Nik Soh Yaacoub.
He said construction works have been going on smoothly according to schedule and based on that, Kelantan is ahead of two other East Coast states in the ECRL.
"As for the construction of the Kota Baru station, progress now is at 45.48%, exceeding the 44.4% progress scheduled under the original plan," he told a press conference in conjunction with Kelantan JKR's visit to the project site in Bandar Baru Tunjong here on Sunday (Oct 20).
"Only the station in Pasir Puteh is slightly delayed due to several surrounding factors.
"However, the overall ECRL project is expected to be fully completed in July next year and can be used by the people to travel from Kelantan to Kuala Lumpur from 2027,” he added.
Nik Soh said the progress of the ECRL alignment in Kelantan is the result of good collaboration with all parties, including local authorities, the state government and Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd.
He also does not expect the north-east monsoon, expected to start next month, to disrupt the ECRL schedule since the structural work has been completed.
He added that the ECRL transport facilities would not only benefit the people of Kelantan but also help invigorate the state's tourism sector.
Nik Soh said construction of the ECRL in Kelantan also involved building two stations, namely in Kota Baru specifically for passenger use and in Cherang Tuli, Pasir Puteh for passengers and cargo.
The Kelantan ECRL line involves four districts, namely Kota Baru, Bachok, Pasir Puteh and Machang.
The 665km project, which costs RM50.27bil, is set to connect Kota Baru to the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal in the Klang Valley. – Bernama
