KLUANG: The Gemas-Johor Baru Electric Double Tracking Project, set to pass through Renggam, will boost development and economy of the area.
Simpang Renggam MP Dr Maszlee Malik said the project, to be completed in 2021, will change the entire landscape of the town now considered as 'dead' or a 'zombie' town.
"When the railway station 'comes to life', the town of Renggam will become new and no longer be 'dead'.
"Thank you to the MoT (Transport Ministry) and YTL (contractor) for listening to our (Renggam people) voices," he said during the project's briefing in Renggam today.
Also present were the project's team leader Noor Azman Ramlee and Renggam community chief Asmi Mislan.
Maszlee, who is also Education Minister, said job opportunities would most certainly be available during the construction period and afterwards, and requested residents to remain patient for the next three years for its completion.
Meanwhile, Noor Azman said the project, which was 28 per cent complete, was on schedule, including the transfer of 929 settlements along the route.
He said his team always looked for the best way to develop the RM8.9 billion project, including the prevention of landslides.
"Currently the trains are expected to go through 11 stops, but, if there is demand in the future, three more stations will be opened, namely in Chamek, Skudai and Tenang," he said.
The project involves a 192-kilometre railway track which will pass through stations such as Segamat, Kluang, Labis, Bekok, Paloh, Renggam, Layang-Layang, Mengkibol, Kulai dan Kempas Baru.
Expected to commence service in Oct 2021, a trip from KL Sentral to JB Sentral will take approximately three hours and 30 minutes. -- BERNAMA