| Syed Hamid Albar |
The MRT, which will be the largest infrastructure project in Malaysia when it takes off, was identified under the government’s Economic Transformation Programme. It will be integrated with existing rail systems and will cover major parts of Kuala Lumpur.
Gamuda and MMC Corp are the known bidders for the project.
“We will present the technical report to the government and once it’s approved by the Cabinet, we can look at value management studies,” Syed Hamid told reporters after opening the ABB forum on powering the rails in Malaysia here today.
Rail operators, industry experts, financiers and investment bankers are attending the one-day forum to focus on solutions for an efficient and reliable rail system to fast-track the nation’s growth and economic reforms in tandem with the 10th Malaysia Plan.
Meanwhile, he said the Light Rail Transit, which has assumed an important role in relieving traffic congestion in the Klang Valley, would be further improved with the planned extension of the Ampang and Kelana Jaya lines.
The Ampang project comprises a 17.7km track which would cover densely-populated areas in Puchong while the Kelana Jaya LRT line would be extended approximately 17km to Subang Jaya and USJ.
“Construction of the extended lines is expected to start in November,” Syed Hamid said, adding that the recent launch of the electric train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh, operated by KTM Bhd, heralded a new phase of rail upgrade in the country.
“Together with the double tracking project in the northern section which will be completed by end-2013 and the link between Gemas and Johor Baru, targeted for completion in 2016, the rail sector is poised to emerge as a catalyst in the changing landscape of Malaysia’s public transportation model,” he said. — Bernama
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.