KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and visiting China’s Premier Li Qiang today officiated the ground-breaking ceremony for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Gombak Integrated Terminal station.
Today’s ceremony paves the way for the ECRL rail alignment from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, to the Gombak Integrated Terminal, Selangor.
Located on an 8.73ha site — positioned at the edge of the “Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge”, the longest quartz formation in the world — the ECRL Gombak Integrated Terminal station is expected to link with the Gombak LRT station along the Kelana Jaya LRT line, said a statement by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL).
“The ECRL alignment between Gombak and Port Klang is expected to be completed by December 2027 instead,” the statement read.
The station will feature an elevated platform and facilities such as a carpark, pick-up and drop-off area, covered walkways, staff quarters, and landscaped areas.
The ground-breaking is part of Li’s schedule during his three-day official visit to Malaysia in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
Also present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, MRL chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, China Communications Construction Company Ltd chairman Wang Tongzhou, and senior Malaysia and China government officials.
Loke said the ECRL will optimise connectivity for passengers and freight between the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.
“We anticipate the ECRL to drive the shift of cargo movements from road to rail, which is a safe alternative mode of transport for long distances, as well as being environmentally friendly and cost effective.
“The Transport Ministry is also exploring the possibility of extending the ECRL alignment to tap into Thailand’s rail network, paving the way for the ECRL to be part of the Pan-Asian rail network that is able to link Malaysia with China, hence realising the Belt and Road Initiative,” the minister said in the statement.
The 665km ECRL from Kota Bharu to Port Klang will feature 20 stations, comprising 10 passenger-only stations and 10 passenger-freight stations.
— Bernama
