http://malaysiandigest.com/business/319431...60-billion.html
East Coast Rail Line May Cost RM60 Billion
Thursday, 18 April 2013 10:05
THE 620km East Coast Rail Route (ECRR) linking Greater Kuala Lumpur and three east coast states in Peninsular Malaysia is expected to cost around RM60 billion, sources say.
Most of the potential line’s required investment will be sourced from the private sector, they added.
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) has proposed the ECRR to the federal government and its viability is being studied by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
SPAD plays a central role in improving road and rail-based public and freight transport in the country.
Its chief development officer Azmi Abdul Aziz Gamusaid the ECRR aims to create rail connectivity to the east coast and provide economic spillover from Greater Kuala Lumpur.
“We are still studying the proposal (by ECERDC). We have not reached any conclusion.
“A new railway scheme will be formed as it will involve cutting across the Main Range (Banjaran Titiwangsa),” Azmi told Business Times on the sidelines of the Rail Solutions Asia conference here yesterday.
He added that the project, if viable, will be implemented in four phases. He, however, declined to reveal the cost.
“We have mapped out plans to develop railway infrastructure in Malaysia up to 2030. We are now working on plans beyond 2030.
This project (ECRR) may be implemented before or after 2030,” Azmi said.
According to sources, ECRR will take about 15 years to develop as it will involve a lot of underground work and building tunnels across Banjaran Titiwangsa.
This post has been edited by Kampung2005: Apr 18 2013, 11:49 AM
KL to Kelantan electric train RM 60 bil!, we must build it! progress! News