Penang LRT project is on track
The Penang light rail transit (LRT) project is on track to become a reality, the state legislative assembly heard on Tuesday.
State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the project manager, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), has already called for a tender to appoint a consultant to conduct research for the project.
“The project is in the research stage and the research is expected to be completed early next year,” he said when replying to a question by Gooi Hsiao-Leung (PKR-Bukit Tengah) on the project.
He assured Gooi that the cross-channel LRT, linking Penang Island and Butterworth, will become a reality.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced that the federal government would fund the project.
“The state government has met with MRT Corp in various meetings to discuss the project so we are 100 per cent confident that this project is on track to be built as planned,” he said.
Zairil said the state had also conducted various technical, feasibility and alignment studies on the LRT project.
He said the studies have been handed over to MRT Corp.
“We hope the project will begin in the near future,” he said.
In May this year, Anwar announced that the federal government would fund the development of LRT in Penang.
The LRT alignment, which was originally Bayan Lepas to Komtar, will now be from Bayan Lepas to Komtar to Tanjung Bungah, Air Itam to Butterworth to Kepala Batas and to Simpang Ampat.
Meanwhile, Zairil said the costs, implementation and start date of the project will be decided by the Transport Ministry.
He reiterated the state’s commitment to implement the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
What??? still at RESEARCH stage/// aiyoyo… what is happening to the Penang state exco? Penang state gov have done tones of research in the last 10 years!!! Millions $$ of penangites tax payer money already paid to those CONSULTANTs. and the EXCO dare to say that it is still at RESEARCH stage??? Gila babi la woi Penang state government. You need to start the construction works NOW!!! Dont even talk about your bullshit plan to connecting LRT to butterworth…. YOU cant even start the FIRST stage. idiot exco.
First tiang no down before next election or bye DAP.
Will vote out DAP to let Penang become the next Kuantan instead.
@Penangite
I hope the federal government won’t play out Penangites. It’s true Penang has done so much preparation and now MRP Corp has taken over . MRT has to maintain the momentum and see the urgency of Penagite to see the construction take place without delay and using the feasibility as an excuse to delay further .
Penang government don’t know how to start this project because they never done this type of mega project before even with federal fund ready.
But they are good in doing bicycle lanes every where and drawing parking lots wherever got space.
@millionaire
Or build condo wherever got empty land. How to road can think later.
don’t blame state government only, say than you to NGOs who love to make noises trying to derail this project..
@Oh nice
Which NGO does not make noise, so no need to run any project d if no 100% support?
Just see if DAP got balls or not only.
People complain about whatever u do, but the government needs to have long-term sight and do things that really beneficial even not everyone understands.
We don’t elect government to ask us what to do.
@Islander
you think our government is some kind of autocratic commie that can bulldoze their way over everything …. LOL
@Oh nice
They used to be, but oh well, the situation changes from time to time.
We are living in an age where people are afraid to change anything so that they do not get flamed.
Our government right now is in an awkward position that does or does not also get complaints, might as well leave something that people probably appreciate 5-10 years later.
@Penangite
The federal is doing research and studies on the research and studies of Penang gov.