(From left) MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Selangor secretary Datuk Haris Kasim, China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) managing director Kong Qi, officiate the ECRL Gombak Tunnel breakthrough ceremony.
THE East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will upgrade the public transport system in Selangor and have an agglomeration effect that can increase access and connectivity as well as offer job opportunities.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the project would provide jobs and stimulate economic activities along the ECRL corridor.
He said the Selangor government is committed to facilitating the implementation of such projects that cover the aspect of land – provided it does not have adverse effects on the local population.
"ECRL is a national project which will form the backbone of transportation for connecting the Klang Valley and major cities on the east coast such as Bentong and Kuantan in Pahang, Kemaman and Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu and Kota Baru, Kelantan," he said in his speech while officiating the ECRL Gombak Tunnel breakthrough ceremony on Tuesday (Oct 29).
Amirudin said relevant authorities would be responsible for ensuring the tunnels in Selangor are safe and monitored to ensure frequent maintenance is done.
The ECRL's 959m Gombak Tunnel achieved a tunnelling breakthrough one month ahead of schedule, becoming the 36th ECRL tunnel to complete the excavation process.
Also present at the ceremony were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who is also Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chairman, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) managing director Kong Qi, and state executive councillors.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (fifth from right) and other VIPs visit the ECRL Gombak Tunnel.
"The ECRL construction in Selangor has progressed up to 40.34% as of September this year. Although this percentage is lower than the overall percentage, I believe there are still efforts that can be carried out by ECRL to ensure that this construction is carried out in the projected period," said Amirudin.
He said among the infrastructure works that are currently being carried out rapidly include soil works and soil strengthening, tunnelling, piling works, viaduct beam launching as well as station construction.
The permanent lining for the Gombak Tunnel has progressed to 892m prior to today's ceremony. The tunnel has an average height of 12m and width of 13m, providing the space for two standard-gauge railway tracks upon completion.
Excavation for the Gombak Tunnel commenced in June last year and all related civil works are expected to be fully completed by March 2025.
Amirudin said ECRL connectivity between Gombak and Jalan Kastam in Port Klang is a critical component of the country's infrastructure to complete the "land bridge" between Port Klang and Kuantan Port.
"The land bridge from Port Klang to Kuantan Port which is also a deep sea port plays an important role in trade and investment because it is strategically located in the middle of the busiest shipping journey in the world."
The ECRL features 41 tunnels with a total length of about 69km along its rail alignment, of which 21 tunnels are located within Section A (Kota Baru-Dungun) and Section B (Dungun-Mentakab) while the remaining 20 tunnels are situated in Section C (Mentakab-Port Klang).
Of the 20 ECRL tunnels in Section C, a total of nine tunnels are located in Selangor. These include the 3.5km Serendah 1 Tunnel and 9.8km Serendah 2 Tunnel which are both under excavation.
Amirudin said the construction of the 665km ECRL has recorded an overall progress of 72.9% as of September this year.
"This encouraging level of progress is in line with the ECRL completion schedule from Kota Baru, Kelantan, to the Gombak Integrated Terminal, Selangor, which is scheduled to be completed in December 2026. That is the first package.
"The second package between Gombak and Port Klang is expected to be fully completed in December 2027."
The ECRL registered its first tunnel breakthrough at the 1.1km Paka Tunnel in Terengganu six months ahead of schedule back in April 2021. In contrast, the first tunnel breakthrough in Selangor was achieved at the 469m Sungai Buaya 2 Tunnel in May 2024.
Amirudin said the Selangor government also wants the Selangor Kita Rail Line to be realised, unleashing the economic potential in areas such as Kapar, Jeram, Kuala Selangor up to Tanjong Karang and Sabak Bernam.
"The 92km-long ECRL main line in Selangor involves the construction of five stations for passenger and cargo purposes."
