The long-awaited Penang Gentle Rail Transit (LRT) mission has formally commenced following the issuance of a Discover to Proceed (NTP) by MRT Corp to Gamuda Bhd. In line with a report by Free Malaysia Right this moment, the discover was issued yesterday, permitting SRS Consortium—led by Gamuda with a 60% stake—to start full-scale building on the primary civil works bundle.
This preliminary section covers a 24km stretch from Komtar to Island A, a part of the Penang South Island reclamation initiative, and contains 19 stations alongside the route. It types a part of the bigger Mutiara Line, which is able to span 29.5km with 21 stations, linking George City to a reclaimed island close to Penang Worldwide Airport, and ultimately extending to Seberang Perai through a cross-channel section.
The RM8.31 billion civil works bundle was awarded in January, however building had been delayed pending federal approval. With the NTP now issued, the six-year timeline for completion is formally underway.
The federal authorities assumed management of the LRT mission from the Penang state authorities in March 2023, appointing MRT Corp—a unit below the Ministry of Finance—because the asset proprietor and mission supervisor. SRS Consortium additionally contains Loh Phoy Yen Holdings and Supreme Property Growth, every holding a 20% share.
The second bundle—overlaying the 5.5km cross-strait section from Macallum to Penang Sentral—is scheduled to start in 2026. Tenders for this portion have already been known as. In the meantime, the third bundle, which incorporates programs and rolling inventory, was marketed in April, with submissions due by August 11.
As soon as accomplished, the LRT line is predicted to serve 60,000 every day riders initially, with projections of as much as 168,000 in the long run. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook had beforehand said that breaking the mission into three main packages would assist streamline the tender course of and minimise delays.
