BEGIN NEXT YEAR -LOKE PASIR MAS-RANTAU PANJANG RAILWAY UPGRADETO

LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Pasir Mas-Rantau Panjang railway line upgrading project isexpected to begin next year at a cost of RM264 milion, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke siew Fook

He said the project, approved under Rolling Plan 1 of the 13th Malaysia Plan (i3MP), would be implemented bythe Railway Assets Corporation (RAc), with procurement expected in the first quarter of next year.

Loke said the initiative aimed to reactivate the line for passenger and cargo train services, therebyenhancing Malaysia-Thailand cross-border rail connectivity through the link to sungai Golok, Thailand

"The project is expected to commence next year after the procurement process is completed and isscheduled for completion within three years from the start of the upgrading works.

"The project scope includes earthwork and track upgrading, fencing construction, upgrading of the Pasir Masand Rantau Panjang stations, as well as signalling and communications systems" he said when winding upthe debate on the supply Bil (Budget) 2026 at the policy stage for the Ministry of Transport (MoT) in theDewan Rakyat today.

Loke said the project aligned with the aspirations of the National Transport Policy 2030 (DPN 2030) topromote rail as an efficient, safe and sustainable mode of transport.

'O闃任nce completed, the route is expected to boost cross-border economic activities, facilitate the movementof goods and tourists, and serve as a key component in the government's efforts to strengthen regional rail

connectivity along the East Coast," he said.

He added that the government had never neglected the development of public transport to support mobilityand economic growth in the Northern and East Coast regions.

Among the key initiatives, he said, was the East Coast Rail link (ECRl) project, a high-capacity passenger andcargo rail service designed to benefit the East Coast population.

The 665-kilometre (km) ECRL line willfeature 20 stations across four states - Kelantan (two stations).