KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The feasibility study on the East Coast Rail Route, covering Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, has been completed, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced today.
He said the rail route would be built in phases, starting with Phase 1, spanning a 109km rail track from Kertih to Kuantan.
The proposed route is 600 kilometres in length, from Kuala Lumpur to Tumpat, passing through Mentakab, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu, he said.
"The massive project will have a significant impact in terms of improving East Coast Economic Region's (ECER) connectivity with the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and expediting economic growth within the region," he said in a statement after chairing the ECER Development Council meeting here today.
Najib, who is also the council's chairman, earlier chaired the council's second meeting for the year.
The prime minister said Phase 1 of the rail route project would help improve linkages between the various industrial areas within the East Coast Economic Region Special Economic Zone such as the Gambang Halal Park, Kemaman Supply Base and Ship Repair.
The Gebeng Integrated Petrochemical Complex, Pekan Automotive Park and the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster and the Kuantan Port, which would ultimately enhance the port's competitiveness, would also immensely benefit from the project, said Najib, who is also Finance Minister.
"The proposed rail system for the east coast will provide a major boost for investors as businesses will be able to significantly reduce their costs by using this cost-effective and efficient mode of transport, which is also more environment-friendly," he added.
The feasibility study on the integrated rail route started in 2009.