KLANG, Feb 17 — The Cabinet has approved Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd’s (MRL) proposal to modify the scope of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project from a single-track dual-gauge system to a double-track configuration for the Port Klang segment, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
The proposal involves Section D of the alignment, spanning 25 kilometres from Jalan Kastam Station in Port Klang to Northport and Westports.
The construction of the double-track system will not require additional government funding and will not increase the overall development cost of the ECRL project.
“The Cabinet has agreed to build a double-track system, which includes a new standard-gauge track for ECRL services while maintaining the existing metre-gauge track for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) services.
"This aims to enhance rail cargo capacity and improve rail transport efficiency to Northport and Westports,” he said.
Loke was speaking at a press conference after the Port Klang Authority’s Chinese New Year celebration and launch of the Malaysia Maritime Single Window at the KSL Convention Centre today.
He added that the shift to a double-track system is expected to have a significant impact by enabling KTMB and ECRL services to operate independently without relying on each other.
“This will increase the overall rail cargo capacity to Northport and Westports and strengthen the efficiency of the country’s import-export trade industry once the project is fully completed,” Loke said.
For the construction of the new track, MRL, as the project owner, and China Communications Construction Company Ltd, as the main contractor, will release detailed tender information by the end of the month.
Priority will be given to qualified Bumiputera contractors with experience in the rail industry.
The minister also noted that the estimated cost of the ECRL project, even with the revised scope for Section D, remains lower than the cost agreed upon in 2017, which originally ended at Jalan Kastam Station without an extension to Northport and Westports.
He added that Section D plays a strategic role in completing the land bridge that connects East Coast ports to West Coast ports via the ECRL, optimising rail transport for cargo services on both the ECRL and KTMB networks.
"Additionally, it ensures seamless connectivity between yards at Kuantan Port and those at Northport and Westports in Port Klang via the ECRL, while also improving KTMB’s operations through the use of the Serendah Bypass to reach yards at Port Klang," Loke said.
The 665-kilometre ECRL project will traverse the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang before connecting to Selangor on the West Coast.
The section from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal is scheduled for completion in December 2026 and is set to commence operations in January 2027.
The rail extension from Gombak to Port Klang is expected to be completed by December 2027 and become fully operational in January 2028.
— Bernama
