KOTA BARU: The 665km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has achieved an overall construction progress of 90.81 per cent as of last month, surpassing its year-end target.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke described the milestone as a significant achievement, noting that the project is well ahead of schedule.

The progress was driven by the completion of excavation works for all 41 tunnels, the installation of approximately 500km of track, and the erection of over 12,000 Overhead Catenary System (OCS) poles for electrification.

“Construction of the Kota Baru Station reached 82.06 per cent as of December and is expected to be fully completed by the second quarter of this year,” Loke said.

The station, spanning 20.94 hectares, features a design inspired by Kelantan’s cultural heritage, specifically the Rumah Meleh Melayu and Bunga Ketam Guri motifs.

It will include elevated platforms, over 500 parking lots, and comprehensive passenger facilities.

Loke was speaking at a press conference following a visit to ECRL Feeder Station 1 (FS01) and the Kota Baru Station in Tunjong today.

He was accompanied by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak.

Loke said key operational updates include early electrification, where the 132kV power supply from the Tunjong Main Intake Substation to FS01 was activated ahead of schedule, allowing testing and commissioning to begin early.

The 43km Kelantan alignment is 96.67 per cent complete, featuring passenger stations in Kota Baru and Pasir Puteh (Cherang Tuli), and comprehensive testing and commissioning are slated to begin in June.

He also expressed confidence that the alignment from Kota Baru to the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal (ITT) will be completed by December this year, with operations officially starting in January 2027.

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