KUANTAN: Six diesel locomotives which arrived at Kuantan Port City here will assist with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) track laying works which is scheduled to begin at the end of this year.
Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said the six locomotives from China arrived in stages at Kuantan Port between Oct 21 and 23.
"The locomotives measuring 22m in length each were manufactured by CRRC Ziyang in China. To date, six units are now stationed at ECRL's depot at Kuantan Port City.
"The locomotives will assist with the ECRL construction project especially track laying works," he said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Fakhruddin said the overall ECRL project has reached 52.64 per cent completion while the construction in Pahang has reached 55 per cent until September this year.
He said the rail infrastructures between Kota Baru, Kelantan to the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal are scheduled to be completed in December 2026 before the ECRL train services begin in 2027.
"I would like to thank and congratulate all the staffs involved in the ECRL project. Always take care of your health and safety while on duty," he said.
On Oct 23, ECRL shared images of the diesel locomotives that were brought in through the Kuantan Port here on Facebook.
In May, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) was reported saying the 90km-track laying works between Gebeng to Dungun will begin at the end of this year.
The 665 km-long ECRL, which was initially launched in 2017, will traverse the east coast states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu through to the Klang Valley.