PSM suggests straightening Section C of ECRL alignment

The proposed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) route should be straightened between Mentakab, Pahang and Putrajaya to replace it from skewing around the Central Forest Spine (CFS) through the north (Gombak, Selangor) or south (Rembau, Negeri Sembilan), according to Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM).

Party central committee member Sharan Raj said this would reduce travel time and any negative implication on the surface of the CFS.

However, Sharan said the surface of the CFS must be avoided by tunnelling deep underground.

"Straightening effectively reduces travel time and negative implications on the surface of the CFS.

"Contrary to popular belief, tunnelling has the least impact on mountain ridges and the ecosystem than surface tracks," he said in a statement today.

The said route is in Section C (Mentakab to Port Klang) of the ECRL alignment.

Under the original alignment, the ECRL would pass through Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang before entering Selangor through Gombak and making its way to Serendah and Port Klang.

The previous Pakatan Harapan government had decided to realign the ECRL to travel along the south side of the Greater Klang Valley instead of the north side in a cost-cutting effort.

However, it was reported that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government would revert the alignment to the original proposal under the BN administration.

"The recent spat by PN and Harapan to claim the 'ECRL' trophy is hurting the primary national agenda which is to connect the east and west coast through the most optimised manner," Sharan said.

He said the straightening of Section C will future proof the ECRL to be converted into a High Speed Railway later on by upgrading the railway sets.

"The average cost of a single railway tunnel is about RM250 million per kilometre and the current Putrajaya-Rembau alignment includes the cost of a 7km twin tunnel.

"The straightening will require another 10km twin tunnel worth RM5 billion which will be offset by the reduction in land acquisition, stations, viaducts, power lines and bridges," he added. - Mkini