KUALA LUMPUR: There is a possibility the 688km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) that runs from Pengkalan Kubor in Kelantan to Port Klang, Selangor will run on a single-track and single formation, instead of single track-double formation originally planned.
This will be one of three options to lower the ECRL’s RM55 billion price tag, according to an industry source familiar with the project.
The source said the most ideal option, if the government would want to proceed with the project but at a scaled down level, was to reduce its infrastructure works and rail alignment.
This can save up to one-third of the whole project cost with fewer stations along the route, the source added.
It is learnt that ECRL owner Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) had already drawn up the three options if the project were to be scaled down.
The source explain that with single-track an single formation as first option, the second option was to build only Phase 1 from the Integrated Transport Terminal (ITT) in Gombak to Kota Bharu.
This is in line with the ECRL’s Phase 1 Railway Scheme that was approved by Land Public Transport Commission, which will affect the top-end leading to Pengkalan Kubor and the south-end leading to Port Klang.
For cargo connectivity, improvements can be made to the existing KTM lines to ferry cargo to Port Klang.
Thirdly, the option is to have a single track, single formation throughout the route with stations only where there is high traffic.
This option will cater specific industrial areas along the ECRL alignment, such as Dungun-Kertih-Kemaman, Cherating-Kuantan-Gambang and Gombak-Serendah-Port Klang.
The option also entails a double-tracking proposal to cater anticipated freight business.
"Scaling down the project is an option considering the project has already made quite considerable progress on the ground. It would be a pity to abandon work now when ground clearing, foundation work, access roads and land has been gazetted," the source told NST Business.
The project had progressed with a completion rate of 14 per cent for the Phase 1 and cancelling it may be extremely cumbersome as well as expensive, the source added.
Further, the government needed to take measures to mitigate erosion, pollution and possibly worse, floods if the ECRL was halted, as all preparatory work of land clearing has been completed.
Recently, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would review the ECRL, citing the “odd deal” made between the previous government and the Chinese partner.
On May 16, MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak was called by the Council of Eminent Persons to provide a briefing on the project.
China’s ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian, after a recent meeting with Dr. Mahathir, said no changes had been made to the ECRL project so far.
He was quoted saying the project had already started and was ahead of schedule, with its main contractor China Communications Construction Company Ltd working closely with its owner, MRL.