Areas near seven Pahang ECRL stations to benefit from accelerated industrial growth
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the ECRL stations will not only enhance connectivity but accelerate industrial growth at the vicinity of the stations based on the concept of transit-oriented development (TOD).
"The Bentong station which connects the Bentong Industrial Area on an area measuring 177ha will focus on heavy and medium industries.
"Meanwhile, the Temerloh station located not far from an existing industrial area in the district will emphasise on various industries, including furniture with the potential to serve as a logistics hub for the central region.
"The Maran station has the potential to be developed into a mineral collection centre catering for bauxite, gold, silica, and iron ore. Due to its strategic location within a palm oil production area, the station will focus on palm oil processing and packaging industry.
"The Paya Besar station will focus on high-impact industrial developments largely due to the presence of the Pahang Technology Park, Gambang Halal Park and Halal Food Complex nearby," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Pahang Assembly sitting here today.
Wan Rosdy was replying to a question from appointed assemblyman Rizal Jamin on the plans by the state government to develop industrial parks and areas along the 224km ECRL alignment and the types of potential industries.
Wan Rosdy said the Kota SAS Station will serve as a new urban growth centre, with affordable housing, modern commercial and business centres, and built about 500m from the Sultan Ahmad Shah Administrative Centre, which is the new administrative hub.
"The Kuantan City Port station will serve as a major logistics hub connecting the ECRL to Kuantan Port through an additional spur line.
"The station will support the development of industrial sites such as Gebeng, MCKIP(Malaysia China Kuantan Industrial Park) and MCKILP(Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Logistics Park) focusing on heavy industries including petrochemicals, oil and gas, and large-scale manufacturing.
"The Cherating Station will support investment growth in coastal tourism, hospitality, and ecotourism, with the potential to become a catalyst for local economic development through tourism in Cherating," he said.
In response to a supplementary question from Rizal on plans to introduce new housing schemes near the stations, Wan Rosdy said Pahang's first high-rise affordable housing project - Pangsapuri Pahangku - has been launched near the Bentong station.
"In the future, residents living in Bentong will be able to take up jobs in Kuala Lumpur or Kuantan due to the shorter travel time. The next location for the 2.4ha affordable housing project will either be near the Temerloh or Paya Besar ECRL station," he said.
Replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Andansura Rabu (PN-Beserah) if the Cherating station will be built near the soon-to-be built Kuantan International Airport, Wan Rosdy replied in the affirmative.
Pahang has seven stations — Cherating and KotaSAS will serve for passengers only, while Kuantan Port City, Paya Besar, Maran, Temerloh, and Bentong will handle both passenger and cargo traffic.
The 665km-long ECRL project, which spans four states — Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor — is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
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