PENANG is now waiting for the light rail transit (LRT) project owner — Mass Rail Transit Corporation Bhd (MRT Corp) —to obtain approval for the start of the construction phase.
The project delivery partner, which is SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd cannot commence work pending the go-ahead approval from MRT Corp, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. after the state agencies had undertaken various efforts to expedite the process.
The project is billed as the largest ever infrastructure project ever to be undertaken inland in Penang, one of the nation's smallest states. The Mutiara Line, is estimated to cost between RM10 billion and RM13 billion.
The elevated LRT Mutiara Line, encompasses 21 stations along a 29.5 km stretch, with the first station located at the now under reclaimed Silicon Island off Batu Maung before reaching its main interchange point in Weld Quay before it moves alongside the Penang Bridge to end at the Penang Sentral transport hub in Butterworth.
Critics, namely the Penang Forum, an umbrella body of non-governmental organisations, have opposed it on grounds of wastage due to low ridership forecasts and environmental concerns due to the burrowing of underground and hilly terrain.
Chow is hoping that the project can be completed the soonest in view of the growing congestion rate on majority of roads throughout the state, which has blurred the state's rapid development rate.
He said this when launching a recycling station at the Digital Village Outlet Mall in Georgetown.
"I am made to understand that nothing can move until MRT Corp issues approval to the consortium," said Chow.
While awaiting the approval, Chow stressed that the state government will undertake all essential groundwork and paperwork to smoothen the due process.
"We have a lot of work to fulfill from land acquisition to readying structures on certain plots and clearing land reserve along the LRT route before earthworks can commence."
The LRT is expected to begin its construction stage at the third quarter of this year.
Chow said that majority of the approval will be done within the northeast and southwest district offices.
In another matter, Chow said that the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) has closed the tender process to establish a sports city development near the Batu Kawan Stadium.
Now, an evaluation committee will be set up by the local authorities to vet the applicants who have submitted their respective proposals on how to develop a sports city in Batu Kawan. - April 20, 2025.
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