Plans to fast-track MRT 3’s completion

KUALA LUMPUR: Plans are being drawn up to see if construction of the MRT Line 3 can be fast-tracked before 2027, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak gave the green light for the proposal as it would help spur the development of Greater Kuala Lumpur.

“We have planned for the completion of MRT 2 by 2022 and MRT 3 by 2027,” Liow said after launching the Sustainable Urban Transport Summit 2017 yesterday.

“However, looking at the benefits of the MRT, the ministry is proposing to bring forward the construction of MRT 3,” he said.

Liow said several agencies such as the Economic Planning Unit, Land Transport Commission and the Prime Minister’s Department were involved in the study.

Liow noted that the early completion of MRT 3 would be in tandem with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and High Speed Rail’s (HSR) completion in 2024 and 2026, respectively.

“This will allow better mobility within Greater Kuala Lumpur, which will see more influx of tourists and people,” he added.

The MRT 1 was launched by Najib in December. It connects Sungai Buloh and Kajang.

MRT 2 will see the construction of the Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya line, while MRT 3, also known as Circle MRT Line, aims to connect all the stations.

Earlier, in his speech, Liow said the Government was committed to lowering transport carbon emission.

He said cars, lorries and buses contributed to 85.3% of carbon emissions, followed by aviation (12.9%), maritime (1.4%) and rail (0.4%).