Recently put under review, the second phase of the Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) project is now a “no-go” according to transport minister Anthony Loke. The Star reports that besides the timing of the tender award – just days before GE14 – the project’s high cost of RM5.9 billion is an issue.
“The completion period given to the contractor was long and it was given out through direct negotiations. There was no open tender for the project. For now, it is a no-go for this particular tender,” Loke said.
“A new tender will be called, but we cannot say how soon. From the technical viewpoint, KTMB has told us that we need the second phase to be implemented because the (current) track is unsustainable. But financially, the government has no means to support it. So, we will have to find out how to go about it,” he added.
Phase two of the KVDT project involves 110 km of train tracks from the Kuala Lumpur main station to Klang, Salak South to Seremban, and Simpang Port Klang to Port Klang. Awarded to DMIA Engineering in partnership with Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), the project was to be implemented over seven years. The same contractor is currently working one phase one, which is behind schedule.
“The cost is too high and it works out to RM53 million per km. The whole project is about 110 km and there are no new buildings or stations involved, just the track and signalling. We were told the cost is even higher than the Gemas to Johor Baru double-tracking project, which has new stations and tracks,” Loke revealed.
As for phase one, Loke said that the project was 60% complete, but he had been told there will be a three-month delay, pushing completion to sometime in 2019. The first phase covered upgrading of systems between Rawang and Seremban, and from Sentul to Port Klang. The 150 km project cost RM1.3 billion.
“We do not rule out cost overruns but we will not agree to all these things so easily. If the responsibility is on the contractor, why should the government pay for its failure to deliver on time?” the minister asked.
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“If the responsibility is on the contractor, why should the government pay for its failure to deliver on time?”
LOL.. That is so true. Why should the client be penalised.
53mil per km says it all
Madness with the old Government. Just masok poket only…..
ha ha ha. Everybody is laughing with the RM53 mil per KM figure. This is despite using super cheap Bangladeshi labour.
Really goes to show, previous Government was really really really corrupted…oh wai!
inb4 Rm284 mil per KM tunnel… oh wai
john, dah kena kantoi dan kalah teruk teruk, masih nak buat bising.
Even cheating also can kalah teruk teruk. Malu sangat.
Wait, John did brought up an interesting contrast.
Why do some of you folks consider 53mil for a double tracking project, with all the entailing cost of tracks & signaling, too expensive while the same folks are okay with a tunnel project, without tracks & signaling equipment, value for money even at 4X the KVDT cost?
You folks are like blinded supporters willing to take in any of your leaders’ misconducts.
Hear hear! MY needs the truth bro Brian!
What project are you referring to?
Need RM53 million, then who is goona feed the lazy GLCs and Putrajaya folks?
If the contractor cannot deliver on time, government should penalty them for not able to deliver according to agreed milestones. Nonsense for government to bear the cost of the failure of delivery.
Very true. Now must see what conditions were agreed to by the previous government.
Dont make public transport. Make perotiga. Everyone can have a car
Yess.. all project cancelled can give way to next national car bailout project. Cukur pada madey
seems like only Portiga or protun is must go, pity rakyat
“If the contractor cannot deliver on time, government should penalty them for not able to deliver according to agreed milestones.”
The problem: The contractor can simply file for bankruptcy and the CEO of this contractor won’t loose money at all anyway. Then the work would stall until another company is found which is willing to continue the work.