KULAI: The Gemas-Johor Baru double tracking and electrification project is expected to be completed by Oct 2022 despite a slight delay caused by the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Announcing this today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the MCO had led the project to be delayed by 1.6 per cent.
"The contractor is confident that despite the delay, the project is expected to be ready by October 2022," said Mustapa, adding that the project is so far 60 per cent completed.
The project was initially targeted to be completed by October 2021. However, issues related to land acquisition led to the completion date being pushed back by a year.
Mustapa also said that the delay would not result in any increase in the cost of the project.
The project, which involved the construction of 192km of electrified double track and 11 stations, costs about RM9.55 billion, including consultation costs and acquisition of rolling stocks.
"The completion of this project would complete the double tracking for the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia," said Mustapa.
He was speaking to the media after visiting the Kulai KTM Station to observe the progress of the project.
Also present were state Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Md Solihan Badri and YTL Construction (Rail Division) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azmi Abdul Aziz.
On another matter, Mustapa said the Economic Planning Unit has identified projects worth RM1.6 billion that were unable to begin this year due to problems with land acquisition and issuance of acceptance letters.
"A total of RM56 billion has been allocated for development projects this year. The RM1.6 billion will be returned to the Finance Ministry," said Mustapa.
He also said that the 12th Malaysia Plan is expected to be finalised within the next two to three weeks.
"In reviewing the 12MP, we have had engagements with various ministries and state governments. We also have to take into account the impact of Covid-19 on the economy. The current economic landscape has changed vastly," said Mustapa.