MARAN: Malaysian contractors have secured civil works worth some RM12 billion for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, surpassing the initial target of RM10 billion.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said the mega-rail project has seen the involvement of more than 2,700 local firms consisting of contractors, consultants and suppliers between 2017 and the first quarter of this year.
“The ECRL project is not solely focused on infrastructure and construction works but involves the participation of local companies. The contract value for local firms has fetched some RM12 billion compared to the RM10.8 billion target for the project’s civil works.
“A total of RM2.3 billion or 66 percent of the target of RM3.5 billion of ECRL civil works has been awarded to Bumiputera sub-contractors and suppliers. I am confident that the contract value of local companies including Bumiputera contractors will continue to increase until the construction works are completed.
“MRL will work closely with the state governments involved(in ECRL) for the list of qualified Bumiputera companies in the G1 and G2 category (contractors eligible for work packages) and provide the opportunity for them to be involved in the project. This is in line with the commitment of CCC-ECRL to increase the involvement of G1 and G2 Bumiputera contractors who were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and current economy situation,” he said in his speech during the Kampung Gedung Siam 3 tunnel breakthrough ceremony here today.
The 665km-long ECRL, which was relaunched in 2019, will traverse the east coast states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu through to the Klang Valley.
Also present today were Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk M. Jana Santhiran, Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) director-general Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri and MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak and CCC-ECRL managing director Kong Qi.
Meanwhile, Zuki said the federal government is optimistic that the ECRL will change the country’s transport landscape by providing an efficient and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation for passengers, and facilitate the movement of cargo especially between the east coast and the Klang Valley.
On the Kampung Gedung Siam 3 tunnel, Zuki said the 1.3km single-bored tunnel marks the 25th and signals the completion of tunnel excavation works at Section A and Section B between Kelantan and Mentakab, Pahang.
“It adopted the drill-and-blast method of tunnelling, and I am made to understand that the infrastructure works of the tunnel following the breakthrough will be fully completed by April next year.
“The Maran ECRL station, which will cater for passengers and cargo will be built at Sungai Ling and this will boost the tourism industry around Chenor, Maran and Sri Jaya while the cargo station will help increase investment and businesses,” he said.
Meanwhile, Darwis, in his speech, said the first ECRL tunnel breakthrough was in Paka, Terengganu on April 9, 2021 and some two years, and four months later 25 tunnels have achieved breakthrough.
He said the ECRL project will soon see the construction of rail stations, depots and railroad signalling systems.
Meanwhile, Qi described the tunnel breakthrough here today as a testament to the team’s dedication and expertise along with pushing the boundaries of the construction technology.