Affordable housing, transportationhubs planned near ECRL stations

New Straits Times

07-05-2025

KUANTAN: Plans are underway to build housing, commercial, and education zones at seven ECRL stations in Pahang.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the high-impact transit-oriented development (TOD) projects will be established within a 15-kilometre radius of the ECRL stations located in Bentong, Temerloh, Maran, and Kuantan.
"The TODs will focus on infrastructure development and the enhancement of public facilities, which are expected to directly improve the well-being of the locals and stimulate economic growth.
"The areas surrounding the ECRL stations will be transformed into new, inclusive, and competitive growth centres. The ECRL-Economic Accelerator Projects (ECRL-EAPs) will help boost socio-economic activities in areas near the TODs," he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Wan Rosdy chaired a special committee meeting on TODs at the Temerloh District and Land Office.
Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said that four local authorities namely in Kuantan, Temerloh, Bentong, and Maran have been tasked with drafting development action plans for the EAP and TOD projects in their respective districts, focusing on delivering substantial benefits to local communities.
"The development components include the construction of Pahang's first high-rise affordable housing project known as Pangsapuri Pahangku, an inland port (transportation hub), administrative and commercial centres, hotels and business complexes, mixed developments, educational institutions, community facilities and essential housing infrastructure," he said.
Wan Rosdy said a total of 13 projects have been identified across the four districts, including the rebranding of Gambang Water Park, redevelopment of Tasik Paya Bungor Eco Park (Gambang), construction of the Paya Besar Integrated Public Transport Terminal, development of the Temerloh Smart City initiative, the Bentong Transportation Hub, and the Tanjung Gelang Maritime Hub.
He said in Maran, the planned developments include a palm oil industrial cluster, a biogas power plant, and a collection, processing, and packaging centre.
Wan Rosdy expressed confidence that the implementation of these projects will not only spur economic growth but also create job opportunities, raise living standards, and improve mobility and access to services in both rural and urban areas.
On January 16, Wan Rosdy announced that Pahang's first high-rise affordable housing project - Pangsapuri Pahangku - will be built near the ECRL station in Bentong to provide comfortable housing for young adults.
The 665-kilometre ECRL project, which spans four states - Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor - is expected to be completed by the end of next year.