KUALA LUMPUR: The tunneling portion of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang mass rapid transit (MRT) line will be 50% complete by the year-end.
Gamuda Bhd group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling said that as of September, the MMC Corp Bhd-Gamuda joint venture (JV) had completed 39% of the tunneling works.
The RM8.3bil tunneling works awarded to the two companies represent the most expensive portion of the first MRT line.
Besides the tunneling job, the JV is also responsible for the entire RM23bil project, overseeing it as the project delivery partner.
Lin, who spoke to the media after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to the underground site of the Cochrane station in Cheras, said the elevated portion of the line was 20% completed.
“At this juncture, we are right on track and there are no cost overruns,” he said.
Also present at the site visit was MMC group managing director Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir said he was pleased with the progress being made at the site, saying it was testament to how far local contractors had progressed over the years.
“This means that the country can now depend on our local companies to undertake complex and complicated construction projects.
“It means that the country can save money rather than outsourcing projects to foreign companies.
“I believe companies like Gamuda and MMC could also venture overseas due to their capabilities,” he added.
Dr Mahathir pointed out that the second MRT line should be constructed simultaneously with the first line, depending on the projected demand.
“But I believe the MRT networks would be built well and accepted.
“Take the light rail transit or LRT lines, for example. Demand was quite low initially, but now it’s full of people,” he said.
- The Star Biz
