ECRL will only have one track, for now

The Finance Ministry has confirmed that the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) will only feature a single track arrangement.

However, the track will be laid on a "double track formation", according to the ministry's parliamentary written reply.

"The 600.3 km track for Phase 1, to be completed by 2024, will fulfil the double track design.

"The ECRL project will be built according to double track specifications, including the bridges, tunnels, viaducts, stations and public works," said the ministry.

This could suggest that the ERCL will initially feature a single track, although the foundations will prepare the room for an additional set of tracks.

The ministry said this to Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming, who sought confirmation if the ECRL would be a single track project, as stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

Feasibility study incomplete?

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Department (PMD) has refused to confirm if the ECRL will cost RM70 billion.

Speculation about this new price tag was published by The Edge Weekly early last month.

A parliamentary written reply by the PMD completely ignored a question by Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen, who asked if the ECRL project will cost RM70 billion.

Wong had also asked if the ECRL agreement will be made public and if not, why.

Instead, the written reply summarises how the ERCL was a "game changer" in the development of the east coast of the peninsula, the attractive financing package from China and that the feasibility study.

However, the PMD reply did suggest that the feasibility study for the ECRL has yet to be completed.

"Findings of the study will be made public, depending on necessity, and through channels required by law," said the PMD.

Initially, Putrajaya had claimed that the ECRL will cost RM55 billion and will be financed through cheap loans from China.

-Mkini