MRT Technical Studies To Be Completed By Mid-Oct
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The technical studies for the
proposed Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is expected to be
completed by mid-October, said Land Public Transport Commission
(LPTC) Chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar Syed Jaafar Albar.
The MRT, which will be the largest infrastructure project in
Malaysia when it takes off, was identified under the government's
Economic Transformation Programme, to be integrated with existing
rails systems and would cover major parts of Kuala Lumpur.
Gamuda and MMC Corp are the known bidders for the project.
"We will present the technical report to the government and once
it's approved by the Cabinet, we can look at value management
studies," Syed Hamid told reporters after opening the "ABB Forum On
Powering The Rails in Malaysia", here Friday.
Rail operators, industry experts, financiers and investment bankers
are attending the one-day forum to focus on solutions for an
efficient and reliable rail system to fast track the nation's
growth and economic reforms in tandem with the Tenth Malaysia
Plan.
Meanwhile, he said the Light Rail Transit, which has assumed an
important role in relieving traffic congestion in the Klang Valley,
would be further improved with the planned extension of the Ampang
and Kelana Jaya lines.
The Ampang project comprises a 17.7km track which would cover
densely populated areas in Puchong while the Kelana Jaya LRT line
would be extended approximately 17km to Subang Jaya and USJ.
"Construction of the extended lines are expected to start in
November," Syed Hamid said, adding that the recent launch of the
electric train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh, operated by
KTM Bhd, herald a new phase of rail upgrade in the country.
"Together with the double tracking project in the Northern section
which will be completed by end-2013 and the link between Gemas and
Johor Bahru targeted for completion in 2016, the rail sector is
poised to emerge as a catalyst in the changing landscape of
Malaysia's public transportation model," he said.
-- BERNAMA