MRT project 61% complete

KUALA LUMPUR: The overall progress of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project has reached 61.9%, said MRT Corp chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar said today.
“We have been making good progress. Phase 1 between Sungai Buloh to Jalan Semantan is expected to be completed by the end of 2016 and from Jalan Semantan to Kajang would be completed by July 2017,” Shahril told the media after the commemoration ceremony to mark the completion of tunneling works for the Klang Valley MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line.
“There will be a public display of the Phase 2 of the Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya line beginning next month in 15 selected locations. After the public display, we will proceed once the approval of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) is obtained,” he added.
Shahril said that while worksite mishaps may not be something that is completely avoidable, one of the problems faced are sinkholes due to limestone formations.
“As a result, mishaps are bound to happen when the tunneling work is done. But with the current technology, we have minimised all these difficulties,” Shahril said.
“At all sites, accidents are bound to happen, what we are doing and will continue to do, is to monitor and ensure all the workers adhere to the safety procedures and guidelines,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal said with the completion of the MRT project, he is confident the traffic congestion in KL would be reduced.
“I believe we will achieve the 40-60 target, where 40% of the people would utilise public transport and the remaining 60% will use private vehicles. This will alleviate traffic congestion,” he said.
The 51-km first phase of the MRT runs from Sungai Buloh to Kajang.
It will have 31 stations and will benefit 1.2 million commuters.