KUALA LUMPUR: The total estimated cost for the Light Rail Transit 3 is RM21.93 billion, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said the amount was an additional RM5.3 billion from the total of RM16.63 billion, after the reduction of project scope by the government in 2018. The initial budget for the project was RM31.65 billion.
"The addition of RM5.3 billion for the reinstatement scope makes the total cost of the LRT3 project to be RM21.93 billion.
"However, when compared with the original cost of the LRT3 project, the latest total cost is still lower, with savings of RM9.72 billion.
"Funding sources for reinstatement scope are being considered by the Finance Ministry," he said in response to Azahari Hassan (PN-Padang Rengas).
Azahari had asked about the status of the continuation of the five LRT stations that were previously scrapped, including the projected operational date and additional cost implications compared with the original projections.
The construction of the five stations, namely Tropicana, Raja Muda, Temasya, Bukit Raja and Bandar Botanik, was previously cancelled in 2018 and reinstated during the presentation of the 2024 Budget in Parliament last year.
Hasbi said Prasarana Malaysia Bhd was finalising the technical details and the Supplementary Contract Agreement.
"The scope of reinstatement work involving the design scope is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, while the physical works are expected to start in the fourth quarter of next year for two years.
"The construction of these five stations is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027 and is expected to start operating in the second quarter of 2028."