The main construction phase of the Mutiara Line LRT in Penang has begun, and the project is estimated to cost under RM16 billion, New Straits Times has reported.
This cost estimate includes inflation adjustments, land acquisition, and the construction of a five km bridge that will link Komtar to Penang Sentral in Butterworth, according to the report. Meanwhile, a tender for the bridge portion of the project will be called in October.
The original RM10 billion estimate for the project did not include land acquisition or the Butterworth link, said MRT Corp CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim.
“These additions would typically push the cost to RM18 or RM19 billion, but cost-optimisation measures have saved the government RM2 to RM3 billion. This is not about inflating figures. We have restructured the project to ensure practical implementation, minimal wastage, and maximum long-term returns,” Zarif said.
MRT Corp is in discussions with state authorities to use state-owned land and the Penang Development Corporation to limit costs of land acquisition, Zarif said. “We are striving for financial sustainability within five years of operation. Achieving break-even is our target,” he added.
In terms of train operation, the Mutiara Line LRT will operate at Level 3 automation where the trains run automatically, but with attendants present onboard to make real-time decisions; a setup aimed at reducing complexity and maintenance costs, Zarif said. For comparison, LRT trains in Kuala Lumpur operate at Level 4 automation which involve higher technological and maintenance requirements, according to NST.
Construction of the Mutiara Line LRT is set to be carried out in 24 segments, while a further six segments are deferred to later phases, and on-site activity is expected to ramp up from August. Meanwhile, the Tapak Pesta depot site which was planned for 37 acres has been reduced to 11 acres due to land optimisation and ongoing design adjustments to reduce the project’s overall footprint, the report wrote.
Completion of the Mutiara Line LRT is expected in 2030, with four lines expected in 2050 as part of the states mobility goals.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
What? 2050? Just for few lines of LRT in such a small island/state will takes 25 years in total? What a funny operator! Why can’t we have efficiency or engage China/Korea/Japan to do this at lower costs of time?
Ridiculous to say such words…..2050!!!
4 lines… mahu pergi mana? perlukah ?
line 1 dahulu… tengok apa perlu dibuat…
What happen to LGE undersea tunnel?
After few hundred millions wasted to study that went nowhere, apa dah jadi? Becoming 3rd bridge pulak when 2nd Link still not to capacity.
Still vote for DAP?
2nd link already traffic jam from time to time especially at peak hours with heavy trucks on the road. with more housing developments in Batu Kawan reaching completion, the 2nd link will get even more traffic. so one more link to island through LRT is welcomed.