Construction of the East Coast Railway line in Malaysia is ahead of schedule

The construction of the East Coast Railway line in Malaysia is ahead of schedule, with key milestones completed ahead of time. This project is one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in the country. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Stages of East Coast Railway Construction

The Chinese company China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has completed 38 out of 41 tunnels on the East Coast Railway line.

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The project involves building a 665 km railway line connecting Port Klang and Kota Bharu. It is expected to significantly improve transport accessibility between the eastern and western coasts of the country.

Technical Specifications and Infrastructure Development

The East Coast Railway line will feature high-speed trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. This will reduce travel time between the endpoints from 7 hours to 4 hours. Importantly, the project also includes the equipping of 10 stations for freight operations.

The project also involves the purchase of electric trains and locomotives for passenger and freight services. The Chinese company CRRC Dalian will supply modern six-car trains, capable of carrying up to 430 passengers. Two locomotives will be assembled in Kuantan.

The Malaysian Ministry of Transport also stated that Chinese partners will manage the railway in collaboration with local specialists. Work on the Maran – Kota Bharu section has been completed ahead of schedule, with rail laying finished in January 2025, two months earlier than planned.

The East Coast Railway project is a key element of Malaysia’s transport strategy. It is scheduled to be operational by early 2027, which promises to enhance the country’s transport infrastructure and contribute to economic development.

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