Proposal To Link Kota Bharu To Pasir Mas With ECRL Still Being Studied

KOTA BHARU, July 21 (Bernama) -- The proposal to extend East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas is still being studied by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and the Ministry of Transport.

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the proposal is seen as relevant as the Malaysian and Thai governments have agreed to revive the existing railway line between Pasir Mas and Sungai Golok under Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to reconnect the railway network between the two countries.

He said the Kelantan government is currently proposing that the ECRL line be extended to Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas from Kota Bharu and not to the original line in Tumpat.

"However, it is still under study by MRL and the Ministry of Transport to extend the ECRL line from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas," he said.

He said this when replying to a supplementary question by Mohd Adanan Hassan (PAS-Kelaboran) regarding the state government's efforts to submit a proposal to implement the ECRL to the original alignment, which is Tumpat, at the State Legislative Assembly sitting in Kota Darulnaim Complex today.

Earlier, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said his ministry was examining a proposal to extend the ECRL route from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas in Kelantan to strengthen the connection network with Thailand.

In a similar development, Mohamed Fadzli said the state government had also drawn up a strategic plan to ensure that development around the ECRL project alignment could be fully utilised, especially in the manufacturing sector which has the potential to boost the economy in the state.

"Among the main plans currently being implemented is the development based on Cargo Oriented Development (COD) at Pasir Puteh Station, which is seen to be able to attract not only private and foreign investments, but will also generate downstream economic chains such as transportation services, packaging and raw material supply.

"In addition, the development based on Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at Tunjong Station, Kota Bharu is seen to be able to revive Tunjong as a new township and create an economic ecosystem that is balanced between people's mobility, job opportunities and quality of life," he said.

The ECRL project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2026 and train services for the Kota Bharu to Gombak, Selangor route will be operational by January 2027, while the second line from Gombak to Port Klang is expected to be completed a year later.

-- BERNAMA