PASIR PUTEH, April 17 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is now on track for completion by December 2026, with the entire alignment from Kota Bharu to Selangor recording a work progress of 81.07 per cent as of last month.
The work progress of the project is 90 per cent in Terengganu and 86 per cent in Pahang.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the Kelantan state government played an important role in ensuring the project's smooth implementation, especially in resolving issues related to land acquisition.
"The work progress of the 43-kilometre alignment in Kelantan has achieved 88.86 per cent, contributing significantly to the progress of the overall project. The testing and commissioning process is expected to begin in June 2026.
"Track laying works have also shown positive developments, with significant progress achieved in Kelantan, Terengganu, and parts of Pahang involving the 400-kilometre alignment from Tunjong in Kota Bharu to Maran in Pahang," he said.
Darwis was speaking to the press after inspecting the project's progress at the Pasir Puteh ECRL Station site today.
He added that the construction of two ECRL stations in Kelantan, in Tunjong and Pasir Puteh, also recorded encouraging progress, reaching 69 and 68 per cent respectively.
Work on both stations is expected to be completed by May next year.
Most of the issues raised by residents, including flash floods in Pasir Puteh, have been addressed through engagement sessions with the Land and District Office, the local authorities, and the state government since last year.
“We are committed to resolving every issue to ensure that this project benefits the people and can be completed on schedule,” he said.
The 665-kilometre ECRL project crosses the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, before connecting Selangor on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
The ECRL line from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal is expected to be completed on schedule in December 2026 and will begin operation in January 2027.
— Bernama
