KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Environment (DOE) has yet to receive the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the resumption of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
“We have yet to receive the (new) EIA report for the new routes. However, there is no timeline set for the presentation of the report.
“When the government is ready with the report, they can submit it to us,” said its director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Kamarulnajuib Che Ibrahim at the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award 2019/2020 launching ceremony here.
He was asked whether the department had received the EIA report on the mega project before it was carried out.
The new ECRL route consists of Kota Baru - Mentakab - Jelebu - Kuala Kelawang - Bangi/Kajang - Putrajaya and Port Klang.
The cost of the project, which was RM65.5 billion initially, had been reduced to RM44 billion.
It was reported that the 648km-long ECRL route would lighten the country’s debt burden as well as boost the economy.
Kamarulnajuib, however, said the department had received the EIA report on the old ERCL routes.
On the EIA report on the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1) in Penang, which was recently approved by DOE, he said the department would take action if it found any violations against the 56 conditions set by the Penang government.
“The Penang government has pledged to abide by the conditions set. We have approved the report and they should fulfil the commitment,” he said.
He also said anyone who wanted access to the list of conditions could go to the state government’s office.
Deputy Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, who was also present, however, declined to comment on the matter.
Several non-governmental organisations in Penang recently voiced their concern over the project, claiming it could have a huge impact on the environment.
The 19.5km PIL 1 highway alignment will consist of 7.6km of viaduct sections, four tunnel sections totalling 10.1km in length, and embankment sections measuring 1.8km.
The project will stretch from Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone area.
Six interchanges are proposed along the alignment to disperse traffic efficiently at strategic locations.
Meanwhile, speaking at the award launching ceremony, Isnaraissah said the award will continue to play a pivotal role to encourage thousands of businesses in Malaysia to create and adopt innovative solutions addressing environmental, economic and social considerations.
The award is now open for registration until Aug 30. It is aimed at recognising participating companies that implement the best environmental measures in their daily operations.