ECRL: Agong inaugurates first track installation

In a historic event, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, graced the official installation of the first track for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.

The mega rail project, a 665-kilometre railway project, signifies a significant step in Malaysia’s transportation infrastructure featuring 20 stations.

The ECRL is being built by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).

Inauguration at section 10 ECRL station site

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook commended the project for its positive impact on the local economy, the advancement of communities on the east coast, and the facilitated upskilling and technology transfer achieved through the ECRL.

Additionally, he highlighted the substantial contribution of advanced track-laying equipment from China, significantly enhancing the efficiency of railway construction. The track-laying machine is anticipated to cover approximately 1.5km of tracks daily.

Wang Tongzhou, the chairman of China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), stated that the initiation of track-laying signifies the shift of the project from underground to aboveground construction phases.

He affirmed CCCC’s commitment to invest in high-quality resources, expediting the ECRL project’s construction. The aim is to enhance comprehensive collaboration with Malaysia, aligning closely with the developmental strategies outlined by the Malaysian government.

Transformative mega project with a clear vision

Wang remarked that the launch signifies the dawn of a new era in the construction of the ECRL mega train infrastructure in Malaysia.

He said, “The installation of the track symbolises our dedication to bringing progress, innovation, and the integration of meaningful mobility connectivity to Malaysia.”

Emphasising the mutual goal, Wang stated, “Our objective is to establish the ECRL project as a significant symbol of enduring and amicable cooperation between our two nations.”

As a prominent infrastructure initiative under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the ECRL spans from Malaysia’s primary transport hub, Port Klang, traversing the peninsula to reach Kelantan.

The inaugural event today marks the crucial commencement of installing the 94km track, extending from Kuantan Port City (KPC) station in Gebeng to Dungun, Terengganu. This phase is anticipated to conclude in approximately three to four months.

Subsequently, the following track installation phases will encompass connecting the KPC station to Temerloh, progressing northward from Dungun to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, and ultimately concluding from Temerloh to Jalan Kastam, Selangor.

To ensure a robust foundation and enhance passenger comfort by reducing vibrations during train movement, the installation process employs the CCPG500A track laying machine, complemented by the 500m-long Long Welded Rail (LWR) and pre-stressed mono-block sleepers.

The ceremony, held at the Section 10 ECRL Station Site in Gebeng, witnessed the presence of key figures, including Transport Minister Anthony Loke, China’s ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujin, and Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.