Najib: ECRL to boost East Coast GDP growth by 1.5%

KUALA LUMPUR (March 8): The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is capable of boosting gross domestic product (GDP) growth by about 1.5% for the three states — Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu — in the East Coast, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said the project is part of the East Coast Economic Region Master Plan, which is aimed at achieving equitable growth and development between the East Coast and West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

"It is important to reduce economic inequality between the East Coast and West Coast of Malaysia. The ECRL would be the game changer that could boost higher growth rate for the East Coast states," he said during the launch of the public inspection of the ECRL today at the Land Public Transport Commission's (SPAD) headquarters.

Najib said the project could change the economical landscape, as it will help spur the tourism sector, encourage commerce and the creation or growth of industrial clusters along the ECRL alignment, as well as attract new investments.

At the public inspection, the proposed alignment of the ECRL from the Integrated Transport Terminal (ITT) Gombak to Wakaf Bharu, comprising 23 stations running along 600.3km of track routes, is on display.

In addition to SPAD's HQ, a series of public inspection sessions will be carried out at 38 high traffic locations, including some district offices, from March 8 to June 5.

"The public can give their feedback and input through letter, online or even walk-in to SPAD, so that we can gather their feedback to better serve them," he said. 

The ECRL is scheduled to start construction from July this year and be completed in July 2024. — theedgemarkets.com

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