PIL 1 highway raises fears of undermining LRT in Penang

 

Penang’s proposed Pan Island Link 1 highway is designed as a 19.5km six-lane route which will run through the Penang Hill. (File pic)

GEORGE TOWN: 

The proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) highway in Penang has sparked fresh concerns among activists who warn that its construction could undermine the ridership potential of the state’s planned Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.

The highway, which received environmental approvals in 2019 but never took off due to a lack of funds, is intended to connect Gurney Drive and Bayan Lepas via a 10km tunnel running through the Penang Hill range.

However, on Tuesday, it was revealed that the federal government may fund the PIL 1 under the 12th Malaysia Plan, one of eight projects being considered by the economy ministry for Penang.

Anil Netto, a member of the Penang Forum steering committee, said the proposed highway’s alignment closely mirrors that of the LRT, raising fears that commuters might opt for cars over public transport.

Anil Netto.

“The PIL 1 is almost identical to the LRT line. That would rob the LRT of its potential riders,” he told FMT.

The proposed Mutiara LRT line will connect Komtar and Bayan Lepas, running alongside a coastal highway on the east of Penang island, with a forked line to Butterworth in the next phase.

The RM7.5 billion highway, designed as a 19.5km six-lane route with a significant tunnelling component through Penang Hill, has faced criticism for its potential environmental impact.

The state government had originally planned to finance the project through proceeds from the reclamation of three artificial islands.

Netto said Putrajaya’s proposed funding of the highway would represent a shift away from earlier promises that the project would not rely on taxpayer funds.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the project’s environmental impact would need to be reassessed.

Meenakshi Raman.

“You can’t use the old EIA this time as the circumstances have changed, including the planned LRT line,” she said.

Netto, a former Penang Transport Council member, proposed increasing the use of buses instead of investing billions in highways and rail transport.

“Singapore prioritised buses before starting its MRT system in the 1980s,” he said, adding that Penang presently has a relatively small fleet of 200 to 300 public buses.

Khoo Salma Nasution.

Khoo Salma Nasution, another member of the Penang Forum, also called for transparency and urged the state to make the EIA publicly accessible again.

“The original EIA had many errors. Why not display it again for public scrutiny?” she asked.

Lim Mah Hui, an economist and member of the Penang Forum, criticised the lack of responsiveness to public objections.

Lim Mah Hui.

“We sent a 39-page objection, but it feels like we’ve been ignored. Imagine tunnelling a six-lane highway through Penang Hill—how can they even justify that?” asked Mah.

The PIL 1 was approved in 2019 with 56 conditions. However, Penang Forum objected to its construction, warning that tunnelling through Penang Hill’s fault lines would increase subsidence risk and give rise to environmental issues and future congestion.

Supporters of the project said the tunnels would be safe with proper engineering.

The Penang government has defended the PIL 1 project, describing it as professionally managed and widely supported, with officials previously claiming that 80% of Penangites back the plan. - FMT