KOTA BARU:About RM300 million has been approved by the federal government for the People's Highway project (Projek Lebuh Raya Rakyat) which connects Bukit Tiu and Kampung Berangan Mek Nab.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the allocation for the 10km highway was approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
He said the project was now under assessment by the Public Works Department and construction is expected to start in April.
"Both the federal and state governments have discussed on the direction of this project two years ago.
"Last year, the federal government agreed to proceed with the project that will take about 36 months to complete or by April, 2025," he said.
Mustapa, who is also Jeli member of parliament, told this to reporters after visiting the Kota Baru-Kuala Krai highway project in Kok Lanas today.
Also present at the site was state Works, Infrastructure and Utility Committee chairman Datuk Azami Mohd Nor.
On the Kota Baru-Kuala Krai project, Mustapa said the project's Package 2B (from Ketereh to Kok Lanas) is expected to be completed in October.
"The project is supposed to be complete at the end of March, but the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) two years ago were among the causes for the project to be delayed.
"Other reasons include the financial problem faced by the contractors and land acquisition,"he added.
He said the project spanning 67.56 km involes seven packages, all of which costs about RM2.7 billion.
"The project includes the Central Spine Road, and is expected to be completed in 2025. It will give a huge impact to the people in Kelantan," he added.