About the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL)

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is a major infrastructure project underway in Malaysia.

Purpose:

• Connect the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang) to the developed west coast (Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Federal Territory of Putrajaya).
• Bridge the gap in the existing railway network, which currently only partially connects these regions.
• Improve transportation of both passengers and freight.

Project Details:

Length: Approximately 665 kilometers (413 miles)

Route: Port Klang (west coast) to Kota Bharu (east coast)

Type: Standard gauge double-track railway

Cost: Approximately RM50.27 billion (US$11.7 billion)

Owner: Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRLSB) – owned by the Ministry of Finance

Contractor: China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC)

Expected Completion:

• • First section (Kota Bharu to Gombak): December 2026
  • Entire project: January 2028 (including Gombak Utara to Port Klang section)

Benefits:

Reduced travel time: Travel time between Kota Bharu and Klang Valley is expected to be cut from around 7 hours by car to 4 hours by train.

Improved connectivity: The ECRL will create a vital transportation link between the east and west coasts, boosting economic activity and trade.

Regional development: The project aims to stimulate development in the less developed east coast states by improving access to markets and resources.

Freight transportation: The ECRL will facilitate the efficient movement of goods, potentially lowering logistics costs for businesses.

Challenges:

Cost: The project has faced some controversy due to its high cost.

Environmental concerns: The original alignment raised concerns about environmental impact, leading to a realignment to minimize disruption.

Land acquisition: Acquiring land for the project has been a complex process.

Current Status:

• Construction began in August 2017.
• Track laying works commenced in December 2023.
• The project is progressing, with the first section targeted for completion by December 2026.