TUMPAT: The Federal government hopes the Palekbang bridge project and the redevelopment of Kampung Laut here will help boost the state's domestic tourism industry.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the two projects, both under the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), are expected to be completed between May this year and November, 2023.
He said the construction of 1km of the Palekbang-Kota Baru bridge costing about RM250 million, started in September last year.
"The bridge will be the alternative route for motorists travelling from Tumpat to Kota Baru and with the construction of the bridge, it is hoped that the traffic congestion on the Sultan Yahya Petra bridge and vice-versa can be reduced.
"Once it is completed in November, 2023, the bridge will become the fourth set-up across the Kelantan river to motorists travelling from Kota Baru," he told reporters after visiting the sites of the two projects here today.
During the visit, Mustapa who is Jeli MP, was accompanied by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob and ECERDC chief executive officer Baidzawi Che Mat.
On the redevelopment of Kampung Laut or Kampung Warisan, Mustapa, said the project with its first phase costing about RM40 million, would have a huge impact on the sosio economic status of the people especially those living in Tumpat.
"Apart from attracting more visitors to the village, the government also hopes the project which is expected to be completed in May this year, will provide business opportunities to local entrepreneurs," he said.
"The main component in the first phase of the project is the relocation of the 300-year-old mosque believed to be the oldest in the region. This is among the high-impact projects by the Federal Government for Kelantan," he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad thanked the Federal Government for the projects claiming that it would help improve the sosio economy of its people especially those living in Tumpat district.
"Kampung Laut in Tumpat is well-known for having many serunding (floss) makers. There are about 11 serunding main operators here and several others also sell floss but in small scales.
"With the Kampung Warisan project, the state government is hoping that small floss traders can expand their business," he said.