KUALA LUMPUR: The Pasir Mas-Rantau Panjang railway line upgrading project will commence next year with a budget of 264 million ringgit.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook confirmed the project’s approval under Rolling Plan 1 of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

He stated that the Railway Assets Corporation will implement the project following procurement in the first quarter of next year.

This initiative aims to reactivate the line for both passenger and cargo train services.

The upgrade will significantly improve Malaysia-Thailand cross-border rail connectivity through its link to Sungai Golok in Thailand.

Loke explained that construction will start after procurement concludes and should finish within three years.

Project scope covers earthwork, track upgrades, fencing, station improvements, and signalling systems.

He provided these details during his winding-up speech for the Ministry of Transport’s budget debate in Parliament.

The project supports the National Transport Policy 2030 goal of promoting rail as an efficient transport mode.

Completion is expected to boost cross-border economic activities and tourist movement.

Loke emphasised that this route will strengthen regional rail connectivity along the East Coast.

The government remains committed to public transport development in Northern and East Coast regions.

He highlighted the East Coast Rail Link as another key initiative for the area.

This 665-kilometre line will feature 20 stations across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor.

The East Coast Rail Link will connect Kota Bharu to Port Klang upon its 2027 completion.

Loke described the East Coast Rail Link as an economic catalyst for regional development.

It will support economic clusters that benefit local businesses and promote balanced growth.

The line is projected to transport 24.6 million tonnes of cargo annually.

This volume equals approximately one million lorry trips of 20 tonnes each. – Bernama

 The Sun Malaysia