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.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/