After much delay, it appears the Penang Light Rail Transport (LRT) project has finally received its long-awaited green light. News outlets have reported that the LRT will start its first part of the construction in December 2024.
According to The Star, Transport Minister Anthony Loke is said to have approved the project to begin construction. He previously announced that the Federal Government had taken over the project from the state government, appointing Mass Rapid Transit Corp (MRT Corp) as the developer and asset owner. The 29km rail system, the Mutiara Line, will start from Penang Sentral on the mainland before crossing the channel to Lebuh Macallum.
From there, the LRT line will pass through 18 stations on the island. The 20 stations in the multibillion-ringgit line are Penang Sentral, Lebuh Macallum, Komtar, Bandar Sri Pinang, Sungai Pinang, East Jelutong, The Light, Gelugor, Jalan Universiti, Sungai Dua, Sungai Nibong, Bukit Jambul, SPICE, Jalan Tengah, Free Industrial Zone, Free Industrial Zone South, Sungai Tiram, Penang International Airport, Permatang Damar Laut and Silicon Island, which will be the depot.
The LRT project is slated to be completed in 2030 and will have three main components: civil construction for Segment 1, which covers the alignment of Silicon Island to Komtar; Segment 2, which covers the project from Komtar to Penang Sentral and a turnkey contract for system and coach works. Gamuda-led group SRS Consortium is finalising details on the civil works package, which will cost around RM7.6 billion.
The annual ridership for the Mutiara Line is projected to be between five million and 42 million passengers. The Penang government hopes the project will ease chronic traffic congestion and facilitate an easier commute for tourists arriving via the Penang International Airport. Yeoh Seng Hooi, the honorary national secretary for the Small and Medium Enterprises Association, said the project will provide more jobs for skilled locals.
More details on the project will follow soon – but what are your thoughts on the Mutiara Line? Are you excited to see the Penang LRT finally come to fruition?
Source: The Star
