Malaysia to focus on railway infrastructure development

By AK Grewal

  The Malaysian government will remain focus on developing the country's railway infrastructure.
  “We want to empower the public transport sector especially the railway industry and this includes the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project and the upgrading of Klang Valley Double Tracking Phase 2 (KVDT 2) project,” Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said at the launch of KVDT2 project here recently.

Pixabay pic

  The RM4.475 billion KVDT 2 project involves infrastructure and system upgrades to ensure safe, reliable and comfortable train services. It is part of KTM Bhd (KTMB) efforts to improve the quality of its services to the public.

  The project covers the rehabilitation of two KTMB railway tracks measuring over 265km between Salak South and Seremban, and between Simpang Port Klang and Port Klang, including upgrading the existing signalling and electrification system.
  Loke said the KVDT line was an important rail line which acts as the central hub connecting rail traffic from North to South.
  The line will ensure smooth movement of cargo train from the West Coast and East Coast to Port Klang and vice versa.
  It is also the only rail line to Port Klang.

  What is rather surprising is that the government had in July reinstated Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd (DMIA) and its partner Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) as contractors for KVDT 2.
  Loke said back then that the decision was made after much "deliberation and debate" by Cabinet despite its earlier decision to cancel the contract and hold an open tender instead.
  The government terminated the contract with DMIA-LTAT in September last year, following a review.

  According to Loke, the government had taken into consideration various aspects, including legal implications and technicalities, before making the decision before re-warding the contract to DMIA-LTAT.
  The first phase of KVDT involved the upgrading of systems work between Rawang and Seremban, and from Sentul to Port Klang, involving about 150km. The contract cost of RM1.3 billion was awarded to DMIA.

WATCH THE VIDEO