A 25-km stretch of the East Coast Rail Hyperlink (ECRL) in Port Klang, particularly from Jalan Kastam station to Northport and Westport, will likely be upgraded to a double-track system, as a substitute of the deliberate single dual-gauge observe, studies the New Straits Occasions.
The development of the double observe, referred to as Part D, is not going to require further authorities funds and won’t improve the general improvement value of the ECRL challenge, mentioned transport minister Anthony Loke.
“To reinforce rail freight capability and enhance transport effectivity to Northport and Westport, the Cupboard has agreed to assemble a double observe, which can embody a brand new standard-gauge observe for ECRL providers, whereas sustaining the present metre-gauge observe for KTM providers.
“The estimated value of the ECRL challenge, after incorporating the brand new scope in Part D, stays decrease than the value agreed upon in 2017 when the ECRL alignment solely prolonged to Jalan Kastam station with out a connection to Northport and Westport,” he mentioned immediately at a press convention.
“For the development of this observe, Malaysia Rail Hyperlink Bhd, because the ECRL challenge proprietor, and China Communications Building Firm Ltd (CCCC), as the primary contractor, will launch detailed tender data by the tip of the month. Precedence will likely be given to certified and skilled Bumiputera contractors within the rail business,” added Loke.
‘Gauge’ refers back to the distance between the 2 rails. Because of historic causes, KTM and the Sabah State Railway use metre gauge (1,000 mm) – so do Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam for many of their predominant line railways – however all different (far newer) Malaysian rail techniques (LRT, MRT, KLIA Ekspres/Transit in addition to ECRL) use normal gauge (1,435 mm), which is the world’s most widely-used gauge.
This change to a double-track system for that 25-km stretch means KTM and ECRL may have separate tracks, however the originally-planned single dual-gauge observe – which permits trains of differing gauges to make use of the identical line through the addition of a 3rd rail – would have been the primary of its sort in Malaysia, though it’d clearly be a poorer answer if rail visitors on that part is excessive.
The ECRL is 78.5% full as of January – for the primary section (Kota Bharu-Gombak Built-in Terminal), testing and certification will start in June 2026 forward of an anticipated begin of operations in January 2027, whereas the second section (Gombak-Port Klang) is about to be accomplished by December 2027 and start operations in January 2028.
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