THE Penang government has welcomed feedback from the public and stakeholders on the revised railway scheme for the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project.
The public inspection exercise will run from Feb 24 to May 24, giving Penangites three months to review and comment on the proposed extension of the LRT line to Seberang Perai, its alignment, station locations and other related matters.
Designated information booths have been set up at several locations across Penang including Komtar, Penang Sentral and the Butterworth KTM station as part of the public inspection exercise.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the public inspection for the revised railway scheme is being conducted in accordance with legal requirements following several changes to the original plan.
“The earlier railway scheme approval was obtained under the state government, providing for a route from Komtar to Silicon Island.
“However, subsequent amendments were made, including provisions related to a provisional depot at Penang Sentral, the redesignation of the Silicon Island depot from a main depot to a provisional depot, as well as arrangements involving the Pesta site depot.
“These changes affect the original railway scheme approval granted by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).
“As such, amendments to the approval are required under the law,” Chow told reporters when asked about the matter when he visited Heritage House 25 in Armenian Street today.
Also present was Penang Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.
Chow added that Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp), the project owner of the LRT Mutiara Line, must comply with the relevant legislation.
“Therefore, a public display process is necessary to obtain feedback from the public on the revised plans and adjustments.
“The revisions are intended to enhance the original alignment, including the extension from Macallum to Penang Sentral, while clarifying the functions of the respective depots,” he explained.
Earlier, MRT Corp said in a statement that the revised scheme will also provide approximately 1,000 additional parking bays at Penang Sentral.
“From there, passengers can travel via the LRT to Komtar, the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and Penang International Airport.
“The revised scheme also includes the omission of three stations in line with the scaling down of the Penang South Island reclamation project.
“There are also additional stations at Penang Sentral and Bagan Luar, as well as a secondary depot in Sungai Dua,” the statement said.
The RM16.8 billion Mutiara Line is expected to span 29.67km in total, featuring 20 stations and two provisional stations. The line will link a reclaimed island near the airport to Komtar and continue via a cross-channel bridge to Butterworth.
Operations are targeted to commence in December 2031.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix and video by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan