MRT3 to cost RM50.2b, nearly RM1b per kilometre

 

PARLIAMENT | The Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) project is estimated to cost RM50.2 billion, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

In a written reply, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said RM34.3 billion is expected for construction alone.

Land acquisition and project management are estimated at RM8.4 billion and RM5.6 billion respectively. Another RM1.9 billion will be for other costs.

"However, the actual cost would be finalised after the open tender process is completed," he added.

Zafrul was responding to a question from Fahmi Fadzil (Pakatan Harapan - Lembah Pantai) who requested a breakdown of the MRT3 cost and asked whether Parliament permission would be sought for the project.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz

The second question was not answered.

At RM50.2 billion for a 51km line, MRT3 is slated to be the most expensive rail project in Malaysian history on a per kilometre basis.

For comparison, the 665km East Coast Rail Link is estimated to cost RM50 billion while the 47km MRT1 project cost around RM22 billion.

MRT3 was devised under former premier Najib Abdul Razak's administration but the tender was only called during Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s time in office. Tender submissions are expected in August.

MRT3 is a circle line aimed at "completing" Kuala Lumpur's urban rail network by connecting existing MRT, LRT, KTM and monorail lines.

A fifth of the line will be underground. Completion is expected in 2030. - Mkini