EIA report for revised Kulim airport masterplan on public display

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the Kulim airport project and surrounding developments is now available for public viewing.

According to a notice from the Environment Department (DOE), the report is available for one month from April 28 until May 27. The public have until June 11 to submit their feedback about the project.

The report is available from the DOE’s website, as well as the department’s library in Putrajaya, the Kedah DOE’s office in Alor Setar, its branch in Sungai Petani, and the Sungai Petani Municipal Council’s office.

According to the report, the Kedah Aerotropolis project is located in Sidam Kiri, just southeast of Sungai Petani and approximately 20km north of Kulim Hi-Tech Park.

It comprises three components totalling 3,704.89ha, which will entail the acquisition of seven villages under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 to make way for the project.

The seven villages are Kampung Jerong, Kampung Titi Panjang, Kampung Tanah Lichin, Kampung Kuala Sedim, Kampung Kemumbung, Kampung Lubuk Kiab, and Ladang Padang Buluh, totalling 408 households.

Airport plan spans over 2,000ha

The first component is Kulim Airport (KXP) with its two runways and supporting facilities for handling air cargo, spanning 2,069.56ha.

The design also includes the provision for a passenger terminal building that can be expanded from three million passengers per year in Phase 1 of the project to 20 million per year in Phase 4.

However, the terminal building will only be built if and when needed. The current plan prioritises cargo operations and maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations.

The second component is a 1,107.46ha business park and the third is the 527.87ha Sidam Logistics Aerospace and Manufacturing Hub (Slam).

Previously, an EIA report for the project was made available for public viewing in 2021, then known as the “Kulim International Airport and Kedah Aerotropolis” project. The plan presented in the 2021 report was dubbed Masterplan Revision 17.

In the latest report, it is stated that discussions between the project proponent KXP AirportCity Holdings Sdn Bhd and various stakeholders have resulted in the Masterplan Revision 40A that is “more refined”.

The report is prepared by GSR Environmental Consultancy Sdn Bhd.