ECRL project: Selangor gives greenlight to Northern Alignment

 

The Selangor state government has officially given its greenlight for Putrajaya to proceed with its proposed Northern Alignment for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

The Northern Alignment of the ECRL project is to begin in Gombak and cut through Serendah, Puncak Alam, and Kapar before ending at Port Klang.

This means that the Selangor portion of the rail link can start being developed soon, provided it gets a nod from the environmental authorities.

Prior to this, the federal government could not get an agreement from Selangor, as the state administration wanted the project to go through the southern side of the state.

The proposed Southern Alignment traverses through Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Bangi, and Putrajaya before the Port Klang terminus.

According to Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, the decision was reached after the state government considered all factors presented to them on the viability of the northern alignment.

In total, he said, the state was involved in 37 engagement sessions involving various federal and state government agencies, the Transport Ministry, project owner Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd, and local governments.

"After going through reports from all 37 engagement sessions, the Selangor state executive council in its meetings on Nov 17 and 24 has decided to accept the ECRL Northern Alignment proposal and approve the Section C line involving C1 Section from Mentakab to Gombak, and Section C2 that covers Gombak-Serendah-Port Klang.

"And thus, I officially announce here that the Selangor state government no longer has any objection against the development of ECRL through the northern side of the state," Amirudin said in his speech at an event in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present at the event were Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, China Embassy counsellor Yu Jun, and officials from ECRL project owner Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRLSB).

Officials from project contractor China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) also participated via video conference.

"I would like to stress here that the decision by the Selangor state government was made after considering the discussions and agreement with ECRL stakeholders such as the MOT and MRLSB, local governments, and agencies...

"Which is aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of the rakyat and the sustainability of our economic development not only for Selangor but Malaysia in general," he added.

Last year, Selangor Local Government, Public Transport, and New Village Development Committee chairperson Ng Sze Han told the media they were against the proposed northern alignment because it passed through a water catchment area in Selangor.

Southern Alignment considered for future development

In his speech, Amirudin also expressed the state government's wish for Putrajaya to still consider the Southern Alignment that it has proposed for future development.

While stressing it is not a precondition for Selangor to agree to the Northern Alignment, the Menteri Besar said they are hoping it can create a "win-win" situation in terms of the ECRL project.

"Although this is not a condition for Selangor state government's support for the Northern Alignment, we would be delighted if the federal government can consider the need to develop the Southern Alignment and provide continuity of the ECRL project and its future development plan," Amirudin said.

In response to this, Wee in his speech later told the event that his ministry will consider developing a 'Seremban bypass' in its long-term development plan.

This, according to him, would involve continuity of ECRL on the same route that Selangor had wanted which goes up to the Seremban city in neighbouring Negeri Sembilan.

"What I can tell you now is, after we finalise this (Northern) Alignment, what the Transport Ministry would do as a long term plan, and it is in our action plan, is to plan about developing a Seremban Bypass.

"It would go through the areas which the Menteri Besar has mentioned just now. We will continue to connect (the rail link)," he said.

Wee told the audience that his ministry also has a plan to develop Carey Island in Klang - which would benefit from the Southern Link plan - into a third port in the state.

Meanwhile, on the timeline of the ECRL project which was initially scheduled to be completed by 2027, Wee said the project is not experiencing much delay.

According to him, Section A and B of the project (from Kota Bharu, Kelantan to Mentakab, Pahang) only experienced a slight delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic which saw several movement restrictions imposed by the government. - Mkini