Gemas-JB double rail line: MCA hopes consultant to review track design

JOHOR BARU: MCA today called for the consultant of the Gemas-Johor Bahru electrified double-tracking rail project costing RM7.13 billion, to review the track design.
Kluang MCA Division chief Gan Ping Sieu (pix) said the matter was voiced out as there had been concerns over the existing design of the track which could cause 'defects' and negative impact to the development of Kluang town in the near future.
Gan said he was worried that the project would result in massive traffic congestion in the area due to its downward slope design.
"This will force the railway bridge in Jalan Besar to be demolished. When this takes place, a detour will be constructed but that won't solve the issue. Instead, it will cause a massive traffic jam," he said in a statement here today.
Gan also said the call for the review was to maintain and preserve the iconic Kluang Railway Station which had been gazetted under the town's Special Area Plan (RKK).
"Basically, the idea (of the project) is deemed good for all of us but unfortunately, the final plan (of the track design) does not meet our expectations.
"The construction is supposed to be synchronised with the Local Structure Plan and the middle ring road traffic plan that have been gazetted," he said, adding that other quarters also did not agree with the plan.
These included state government agencies such as the district land office, district Public Works Department, town planners and the Kluang Municipal Council.
In fact, Gan said Mahkota state assemblyman Datuk Md Jais Sarday, who is also Johor Education, Information, Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development Committee chairman, said the latter was now working on rejecting the plan via the state government.
"In conclusion, what we want is for the authorities (consultant) to redesign the track by making it longer by at least 800m to protect the railway bridge in Jalan Besar.
"In addition, this is to ensure the smooth construction of road under bridges (RUB) connecting Taman Kluang Indah and Jalan Mengkibol," he said.
Previously, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai was reported as saying the construction of the 197km rail line would begin in November and to be completed by end of 2020.
The project provides capacity for trains to hit 160km per hour and an operating speed limit of 140kph.
It will cover several districts in Johor, namely Segamat, Kluang, Kulai and Johor Baru. — Bernama