Latest news with #MalaysiaRailLinkSdnBhd
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kota Bharu to Pasir Mas ECRL extension under study
KOTA BHARU: The proposal to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas is still under review by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and the Ministry of Transport. Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan stated that the proposal aligns with plans to revive the railway link between Malaysia and Thailand. 'The Kelantan government is proposing that the ECRL line be extended to Rantau Panjang instead of the original alignment in Tumpat,' he said during the State Legislative Assembly sitting. The move aims to strengthen connectivity with Thailand, where discussions are ongoing to restore the Pasir Mas-Sungai Golok rail link under KTMB. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the ministry is evaluating the proposal to enhance cross-border rail connectivity. Meanwhile, the Kelantan government has outlined strategic plans to maximize economic benefits from the ECRL project, including Cargo Oriented Development (COD) at Pasir Puteh Station and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at Tunjong Station. 'The COD initiative will attract investments and stimulate downstream economic activities, while TOD will revitalize Tunjong as a new township,' Mohamed Fadzli added. The ECRL is set for full completion by end-2026, with Kota Bharu-Gombak operations starting in January 2027 and the Gombak-Port Klang line a year later. - Bernama
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
ECRL completes boring of 16km Genting Tunnel on schedule
BENTONG: The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project has reached a major milestone with the successful completion of tunnelling works for the 16.39 kilometre Genting Tunnel on schedule. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the tunnel, which cuts through the Titiwangsa Range, was among the most challenging engineering feats of the 41 tunnels along the ECRL route. "Tunnelling work took more than two years to complete," he said at a press conference after the Genting ECRL Tunnel breakthrough ceremony here today. Loke said a hybrid method involving the use of a tunnel boring machine (TBM), along with drilling and explosives, was employed for the excavation. He also said the Transport Ministry was reviewing proposals to extend the ECRL line beyond its current terminus in Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang in Kelantan, in a bid to improve connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand. Meanwhile, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak described the on schedule completion of the Genting Tunnel as a significant achievement. "This is because the ECRL project team had to overcome difficult geological conditions while boring through the mountainous Titiwangsa Range," he said. With tunnelling works now completed, the project moves into its next phase involving track installation, electrical systems, signalling, communications, and the fitting out of station interiors. The ECRL is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with passenger services scheduled to begin in phases from January 2027.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ECRL project completes 16km Genting Tunnel on schedule
BENTONG: The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project achieved an important milestone after the 16.39-kilometre (km) Genting Tunnel was dug completely according to schedule. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the tunnel, located on the Titiwangsa Range, was among the most challenging structures in terms of engineering out of the 41 tunnels along the ECRL route. 'Tunneling work required more than two years to completely dig the tunnel,' he said at a media conference after the Genting ECRL tunnel breakthrough ceremony here today, adding that a hybrid method combining the tunnel boring machine as well as drilling and explosives, were used. He also said that his ministry was looking into suggestions to connect the ECRL line that ends at Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang, Kelantan to boost connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand. Meanwhile, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak described the on-schedule completion of boring for the Genting Tunnel as a great achievement. 'This is because the ECRL project team had to face challenging conditions while conducting boring work through the mountainous Titiwangsa Range,' he said. With the completion of tunnel boring work, the ECRL project now enters its next phase, which includes installing tracks, electrical systems, signals, communications and internal equipment for stations. The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2026 with passenger service to begin in phases from January 2027. - Bernama
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Shamsul Azri: ECRL project reaches 85pct progress
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) has been instructed to closely monitor the implementation of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which has now reached 85 per cent completion. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar conveyed this directive during the 32nd MRL Board of Directors meeting, held in conjunction with its retreat in Melaka which began yesterday. He said MRL was also tasked with ensuring that there are no disruptions, such as rail encroachments by irresponsible parties, as such incidents could affect the project's timeline and delay the targeted commencement of operations in early 2027. "I am confident that the ECRL project will become a landmark of national pride and a catalyst for economic revitalisation along its alignment and surrounding areas, directly benefiting the people and the nation. "This is in line with the 'Kesejahteraan' (prosperity) pillar under the Madani principle, which can only be realised through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, involving synergy between the federal and state governments as well as the private sector," he said in a Facebook post today. In a separate post, Shamsul Azri said the MRL retreat was vital in determining the strategic direction and operational targets of the ECRL service. "Various initiatives are being planned by MRL in collaboration with multiple stakeholders to ensure an efficient rail operating ecosystem, as well as to provide job opportunities for local youths. "In addition, this project will create avenues for business activity, stimulate economic growth, and improve connectivity between the West and East Coasts of Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
The Star
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
ECRL project 85% completed, says govt
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) has been instructed to closely monitor the implementation of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which has now reached 85 per cent progress. This was conveyed by Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar during the 32nd MRL Board of Directors meeting, held in conjunction with its retreat, which began on Friday (July 5) in Melaka. He said MRL was also tasked with ensuring that no disruptions, such as rail encroachments by irresponsible parties, occur, as these could affect the project's schedule and delay the commencement of operations, which is targeted for early 2027. "I am confident that this ECRL project will become a landmark of national pride and a catalyst for economic revitalisation along its alignment and surrounding areas, directly benefiting the people and the nation. "This is in line with the 'Kesejahteraan' (prosperity) element in the Madani principle, which can only be realised through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach via federal-state-private sector synergy,' he said in a Facebook post on Saturday (July 5). In another post, Shamsul Azri said the MRL retreat was important to focus on the direction and operational targets of the ECRL train journey. "Many things are being planned by the MRL in collaboration with various parties to ensure an efficient rail operating ecosystem, as well as offering job opportunities to local children. "In addition, this project will open up opportunities for business activities, spur economic growth and provide better connectivity between the West Coast and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia,' he said.- Bernama
