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‘Final piece’ of KL transit system, MRT3 back on track

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The project did not make any progress for years after the former Pakatan Harapan government put it on hold, while the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic saw further delays.

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Free Malaysia Today
(From left) MRL CEO Darwis Abdul Razak, MRT Corp CEO Zarif Hashim, Wee Ka Siong, Prasarana CEO Azharuddin Mat Sah, KTMB COO Zain Md Taha at the press conference today.

KUALA LUMPUR:
The Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) Circle Line project, dubbed the “final piece” of connectivity in Kuala Lumpur’s public transport system, is set to resume development after years of delay.

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) chief executive officer Zarif Hashim said the MRT3 is more than just a construction project, with its development seeking to address socio-economic issues.

“We plan for it to be a holistic project based on eight principles, among them are providing connectivity to under-served areas and to spur urban rejuvenation.

“The project will also establish a multi-modal transit hub in the north of KL’s city centre, open up access to Ampang Jaya, and enhance local technologies,” he said at a press conference today.

He said it would also provide a public transit system to areas that currently lack one, such as Segambut and Setapak.

The press conference was held to provide updates on the project. Also present were Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) chief operations officer Zain Md Taha, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) CEO Darwis Abdul Razak and Prasarana Malaysia Berhad CEO Azharuddin Mat Sah.

Last year, Zarif had spoken about the project’s intentions to uplift the socio-economic status of city folk and spur economic growth.

Meanwhile, transport minister Wee Ka Siong said the completed transit network will allow the government to introduce further measures to reduce congestion and carbon emissions in the city.

“The project is the critical last piece to complete the KL urban rail network and will further encourage public transport usage.

“A complete transit network will enable the government to introduce more measures, such as vehicle and environmental fees, to reduce congestion and drive carbon emission down,” he said.

The MRT3, a 50.8km circular alignment covering the perimeter of KL, is slated to be fully operational by 2030, with the first phase set to begin operations in 2028.

The project will consist of 40.1km of elevated tracks and 10.7km of underground tunnels with 31 stations, of which 10 will be interchange stations with existing rail lines in the Klang Valley.

Zarif said the cost is expected to be in line with the MRT Putrajaya Line, which amounted to RM31 billion. The land acquisition cost is estimated to be RM8 billion before interest rates are taken into account.

In April 2021, Wee said the project would begin construction in the second half of the year but the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and issues over costing and funding caused further delays.

In 2018, the project was put on hold by the former Pakatan Harapan government.

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