GEORGE TOWN: The Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will begin as soon as the contract negotiations between Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) as the implementing agency and contractor SRS Konsortium are finalised.
Penang Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said both parties are currently in the final phase of finalising it and are confident that the project can be started according to plan, which is before the end of 2024.
"I have attended a meeting with MRT Corp, and the latest status informed me that they are currently finalising negotiations with SRS Konsortium.
"I believe SRS Konsortium has also sent its latest proposal, and when all the contract negotiations are finalised, then the work can begin," he told reporters after the Penang Go Digital Carnival press conference in Komtar here on Wednesday (Oct 23).
Zairil said MRT Corp has also identified several locations to hold the groundbreaking ceremony, but it is studying the suitability of each location by considering logistics and traffic.
"As soon as the groundbreaking ceremony is held at any location with no encumbrances, meaning no obstacles, for example, government land, no squatters, it is clear, it can start. It will start simultaneously in several locations, not in one location only," he said.
Previously, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the date for the ground-breaking work would only be announced by the Transport Ministry (MOT) after an agreement between MRT Corp and SRS Konsortium was signed involving the construction of the route for the first segment from Silicon Island to Komtar.
On March 29, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the federal government officially took over the Penang Pearl Line LRT project from the state government, with MRT Corp appointed as the developer and asset owner.
The procurement of the project is divided into three main components, which are for civil construction works for Segment I, which is the line from Silicon Island to Komtar; works for civil construction for Segment 2, which is the alignment from Komtar to Penang Sentral and turnkey contract for system and carriage works on a build-maintain-transfer (BMT) basis.
The Penang LRT is also among the projects announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Budget 2025 on Oct 18. In addition to the Juru and Sungai Dua Elevated Highway projects, the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) expansion and the Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3 project in Penang. – Bernama
