29-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
KotaSAS station becomes first ECRL stop to complete system installation
KUANTAN: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), the nation's mega rail project, is set to enter a new chapter tomorrow (May 30) with the completion of system installation works at the KotaSas central station here.
KotaSAS station is the first along the 665km alignment, which comprises 20 stations, to reach this significant milestone.
Notably, the station was also the site of the project's groundbreaking ceremony on Aug 9, 2017, which was officiated by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a media invitation, China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCC-ECRL), the project's engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractor, described tomorrow's event as the project's first article assessment ceremony for its communication, information and signalling systems.
"It marks the successful completion of communication, information and signalling systems at the ECRL KotaSas station for the operation of passenger and cargo trains.
"These systems serve as the 'brain and central nervous system' of the ECRL project, playing a vital role in ensuring safe and efficient train operations," the statement said.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak and CCC-ECRL managing director Deng Bo are expected to attend the event.
The communication, signalling and telecommunications systems are among three critical components required to prepare the ECRL stations for testing and commissioning, scheduled for June next year. Construction began in May last year.
The first six-car ECRL Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train for passengers and the first Electric Locomotive (E-Loco) unit for freight are expected to arrive in Malaysia by year-end.
The ECRL project, which traverses Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, linking Kota Baru to the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal, is slated to begin operations in January 2027. Its extension from Gombak to Port Klang is expected to be operational by January 2028.
On May 6, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said construction of the ECRL had reached an overall progress of 82.45 per cent.
