BENTONG: The excavation works of the 16.39km Genting Tunnel for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) begins today with the launching of the project's first tunnel boring machine (TBM).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said it would take approximately two-and-a-half to three years to punch the tunnel through.
"The construction of the twin-bore Genting Tunnel is one of the main components of the ECRL Project as it can complete the land bridge for the transportation of cargo from Kuantan Port to Port Klang.
"The excavation of the tunnel will be completed in two-and-a-half years to three years, making it the longest rail tunnel in the region," he said in his speech during the launching ceremony at the Genting Tunnel site here today.
The commissioning of 8.98m diameter TBM marks another major milestone for the ECRL Project as the China-made state-of-the-art machine, the largest of its kind for rail construction in Southeast Asia, will bore through the Titiwangsa Range along the Bukit Tinggi area to link Bentong, Pahang with Gombak, Selangor.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the utilisation of the TBM excavation method for Genting Tunnel opened a new chapter in the construction of the ECRL Project, saying that excavation of other tunnels on ECRL's 665km alignment had adopted the drill and blast method instead.
"We are optimistic that the TBM is able to meet the engineering challenges and geological conditions when tunnelling through the hilly and mountainous terrain of the Titiwangsa Range.
"The teamwork and dedication at all levels of the ECRL Project will pave the way for the tunnel breakthrough at Genting Tunnel to be achieved as per schedule," he said.
Also present were Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) vice president Sun Ziyu, and China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) managing director Kong Qi.
Wee said the excavation at Genting Tunnel was also a major step forward for the ECRL Project considering that it was gearing towards peak construction next year, where some 23,000 workers, comprising at least 70 per cent locals, were expected to work on this national infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Sun said they were actively recruiting local talents to join a team of over 8,909 along the alignment from Kota Baru in Kelantan to Port Klang in Selangor.
"Together with more than 5,663 workers from our local subcontractors, we are pushing ahead in full force in more than 300 work sites while we are expecting to engage more local vendors and encourage more participation, especially from the East Coast.
"The construction of the Genting Tunnel is a challenging task as the tunnel passes through several fault lines and chlorite rock pockets.
"However, with our engineering team's experience from similar projects around the world, we are confident in overcoming these challenges," he said.
The ECRL Project involves the construction of an electrified rail network linking the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang with the Klang Valley.
Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2026.
The ECRL will be driven by a revenue ratio of 70 per cent freight services and 30 per cent passenger services when operational in January 2027.