GEORGE TOWN: The public can now view and give their feedback on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Second Schedule) for the proposed Bayan Lepas light rail transit (LRT), which is currently on public display.
They can do so at 10 locations in Penang and Selangor.
State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the public are encouraged to visit any of the display locations and provide their written comments on the EIA report.
"The proposed LRT project is a priority project under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
"Once federal approval is obtained, it will be a major step towards improving the public transportation system and alleviate traffic congestion on the island,” he told newsmen to announce the start of the public display of the EIA at Town Hall today.
Chow said the state government and the EIA consultant would then respond to the Department of Environment (DoE) on all the written comments they received from the public during the display period.
Chow added that it was important to obtain the EIA approval as it was one of the pre-conditions required by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for its consideration for the approval of the LRT project.
"SPAD is currently looking at incorporating the PTMP into the National Land Transport Master Plan, and we have engaged with them on numerous occasions.
"With the tedious process, we expect to get the conditional approval (if any) within a year. Only then, construction works can begin," he added.
The state government, through its project delivery partner, SRS Consortium, submitted applications of the proposed LRT under the PTMP to SPAD for approval in March last year.
It is part of the PTMP project.
Meanwhile, the EIA report can also be viewed online at doe.gov.my, penang.gov.my, pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my and ere.com.my/bllrt.
The public display of the report will be held until August 17 and the public has until Sept 2 to submit their written feedback.