ECRL Maran-Kota Bharu track completed 2.5 months ahead of schedule, progress in Kelantan now past 88%

The 400-km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) track from Maran, Pahang to Kota Bharu, Kelantan has been completed two and a half months ahead of schedule, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak has said, according to a Bernama report.

The ECRL project in Kelantan, which includes the Kota Bharu station (for passengers only) in Bandar Baru Tunjong and the Pasir Puteh station (for goods and passengers) in Cherang Tuli, is 87.8% complete as of December. The figure is expected to rise with said completion of the main rail installation, and both stations are expected to be completed by 2026’s second quarter.

“This will speed up the construction of the electrification system, signalling and telecommunications for the 43.86 km stretch in Kelantan,” Darwis said, adding that the transport ministry will announce fares at a later juncture and that minister Anthony Loke has assured that ticket prices would be “reasonable” and would not burden the rakyat.

Built by China Communications Construction ECRL (CCCECRL), the 665-km line will connect the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang to Port Klang, Selangor on the West Coast. The Kota Bharu-Gombak Terminal line – a four-hour journey – is set to be completed in December 2026 and be operational by January 2027.

CRRC Dalian has allocated 11 six-car electric multiple units (EMU) – the first of which is expected to arrive by end-2025 – that can each carry 430 passengers and hit 160 km/h. It will also provide two electric locomotives – which will be assembled at the Kuantan Port City depot – to pull goods trains.

For over 100 years, the Negeri Sembilan town of Gemas has been the one and only ‘rail gateway to the east’ via Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad’s (KTMB) East Coast Line intercity services (known in tourist circles as the ‘Jungle Train’; prone to cancellations caused by floods). Thanks to ECRL, we’ll soon be able to go by train to the East Coast without leaving Selangor.

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