Railway Track-Doubling Progress

[jpatokal]

Front page of today's Business Times: Syed Mokhtar's latest coup: RM15b rail deal (http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/sub/premiumstory/0,4574,96941,00.html?) This is for Malaysia's section of the long-planned uber-railway (http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2003-10-17/171003pg1etsyed17.gif) from Kunming to Singapore via Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.

The current line from KL to Singapore is a dinky non-electrified one-line track that takes 7+ hours on a good day. The project would involve double-tracking and electrifying it and generally upgrading it to the point where it's a viable alternative. Especially interesting is that the line will also go through Senai Airport, also operated by Syed Mokhtar, who has big plans for scaling it up to compete with Changi.

Definitely good to see this -- but I still regret that the plans to extend the ERL from KLIA to JB and Singapore seem to be frozen...

[Wisarut]

Khun JPatokal,

Hmmm, electrification and contructing the double tracks all the way from Padang Besar to Singapore is very good ... Wish
SRT could do the same thing from Chiang Mai all the way to
Padang besar ... but EGAT, MEA, PEA, PTT and EGCO must
become new shareholders of SRT ... something SRT Union
workers feel very frown upon ... even though all the them
are either state enterprise or privatized companies...
not foreign companies at all ...

Too bad, the concession holder of KLIA Airport Express failed
to make a standard-gauge double track rail all the way to Jahor
and the Singapore ...

I Hope that Premier Thaksin and Miniser Suriya will be able
to realize the 23-billion Baht Airport Express and Airport Commuter (electrified Standard gauge railway ) - and turn
Makkasan into Airprot City Terminal -

I also hope that Further extension to Bangsue (6 km -
via Chitladda Palace) and ther other 30 km Commuter line
from Bangsue to Rangsit (using Airport Commuter type)
will be realized ... to draw more passengers ...
However,the section that pass near Chitladda palace require
the design par excellent to fit the Royal Family - with the separated section for the passengers of the future
Orange Line subway.

Note the Traffic Policy Office suggested that the New
mass transit networks (SRT, MRTA and BTSC) must be
expanded to cover 9-10 provinces:

1) Bangkok
2) Nonthaburi
3) Samut Prakarn
4) Samut Sakhon
5) Nakhon Pathom
6) Suphanburi
7) Ayutthaya
8) Nakhon Nayok
9) Saraburi
10) Lopburi

Such massive expansions require Trillions of Baht
to realize the new networks ... and the privatization
of SRT is inevitable consequence. The foreivn investments,
the R&D investment are also prerequisited ....

Wisarut

[Ijud]

Khun JPatokal & Wisarut,

It is really a good news to hear that MY government has decided on which company to construct the project. They had won the bid against India and China joint venture company which was about 150% more expensive...

Actually the government wanted to built some sort of bullet train link from KL to SG but because the feasibility study shows that it has a lot of adverse effects so they scrap the plan... FMHO it is not that neccesary either.

I hope too that the BKK airport link project and Makkasan
City Air Terminal will be further accelerated!

Wow that's such a massive mass transit line to be constructed around TH... Superb!

It is great for SEA country if Siemens can built their Manufacturing facility in TH or MY or SG because it would be cheaper to be built here than importing them from Germany or elsewhere in EU! Bombardier also had intensions to build a manufacturing facility in MY but don't know the stat of it...

[jpatokal]

Adverse effects of bullet train!? Do you have any more information on this feasibility study? I'm sure it would have a pretty adverse impact on Singapore & Malaysian Airlines' profit margin, but I can't really see too many other downsides -- it's not like the 300 km of palm plantations along the way are pristine natural resources, esp. now that the North-South Highway has been built.

[Wisarut]

Khun Ijud, Khun JPKotal,

Well, if the new SRT Commuter as well as SRT Airport Train rolings stock is 160 km/hr type, it would be ideal for commuter
lines (BKK - Chachoengsao, BKK - Lopburi, BKK - Suphan Buri, BKK - Kaeng Khoi, BKK - Mahachai, Rangsit - NBIA) ...

200 Baht/ trip from NBIA to Makkasan (or Phyathai if it is commuter type) would be a fair deal if you take the traffic jam into account. I have wasted 500 Baht Taxi + 100 Baht Expressway + 2 Hours in Traffic jam when I ride taxi from Rama 7 area (near Bangsue Railway yard) to Lad Krabang (the BKK Eastern suburb clostest to NBIA). Think about it ... However, the 200 Baht ticket should add 1-day pass to Skytrain-Subway as well ... Too bad, Makkasan is not have any Skytrain-Subway passing to .... and SRT thought that Monorai linking Makkasan with Chitlom station would solve the problem ... not a good deal though unless they come up with a very good design .....

Hoever, those commuter rolling stocks are NOT good at all for High Speed Railway which require 300 km/hr type (e.g. ICE 5, TGV or Type 700 Shinkansen) to be able to rival airlines.


That 300 km/hr is the type my country folks around Thailand are looking for and make a loud voice ... we have
so many alarming fatal accidents (hundreds dead, thousands crippled) during the holiday trips from BKK to Isan region
as well as other regions that it should prompt nationwide
High speed project into serious consideration ....

If Thailand is to come up with North-South Motorway,
it will be 2000 km plus Motorway -> require massive investment
from Mae Sai to Padang besa. East-West Motorway would also about 700 km from Mae Sod to Mukdaharn .... very massive investment and the big sources of corruptions, collusions or so.


Now, which one will be the real winner for Airport Link as well as the Mass Transit System Integration -> Bombadier, Siemens, Japanese trading companies (Mitsui -> with
affiliation to Korean ROTEM, French ALSOTOM or so), or China Railway Corp (State Enterprise under the jurisdiction of Railway Ministry)..... we'll see ....

However, Siemens will upgrade their facility in Shanghai to enable Shanghai Metro to produce the subway rolling stocks with quality at par with those Austrian/German factories while the small facilities in Huay Kwang (MRTA) will just customize those rolling stocks to fit local demands as well as the maintainance.

I hope that Yontarakij (local assebly of Volkswaken-BMW-Pergeot-Skoda) and Thonburi Assembly line (local assembly of Merecedes Benz and Ssangyong Musso) would be able to handle or support the local assembly of Subway roling stock ... even though there are lots of Japanese auto assembly and even research facility which can handle such kind of jobs.

[Ijud]

Khun Wisarut & JPatokal,

Well the intention to built the 'bullet train' or high-speed train from KL to SG was proposed by Renong/UEM group (contractor/consession of north-south expressways) 8/9 years ago before the financial crisis. I guess one of the factors that make the project scrapped was because 97 financial crisis. Other than that the project had been objected by the states along the route as it bypasses their states/provinces (Negeri Sembilan, Melaka & Northern Johor) because of it's non-stop service. The government also would delayed the upgrade of the current railway lines (double-tracking & electrifying) if the project proceeds as it really needs big investments. IMHO as Malaysia is proceeding to upgrade the current railway lines, the project would certainly be non-viable anymore and it would be scrapped for good. Now there is also AirAsia no-frills carrier that offers super-cheap fares to bargain hunters. Even if the project realise the ticket prices will surely cut-throat and it will not get the desired passenger load. At the end of the day the government will have to bail out the company by taking over it.

As for Thailand, the high-speed train project is a very good option as she is a big country and still doesn't have a dedicated expressway to connect the further cities... I wish it the project would be speeded up!

Yontarakij and Thonburi Assembly line would certainly do some technology transfer from Siemens to take over the manufacturing of Rolling Stocks for the SEA markets!

[Wisarut]

Khun Ijud,

Well, to make the first section of Highspeed railway (BKK - Nakhon Nayok - Khorat) become a reality, the government have
to make sure that ther project have very little detrimental effect on Khao Yai National Park. Otherwise, local NGOs will make strong protests against the projects.


Khao Yai is the 1st National Park in Thailand covering 4 provinces - Nakhon Nayok [the BKK Green Backyard with cadet academy], Khorat [the gateway to Isan], Prachinburi (the link for for Isan People to go to Industrial Estate in Rayong) and Saraburi (the Cement and construction material town as well as Calvary town)).


Same thing can be said to the future Northern Railway from Denchai to Chiang Rai. Even though there are local demands for such a route, the project cannot go forward since the route has to pass through the upstream area -> the watershed area to be under protection ... not so sure if the route is passign through the National PArk.

Many older generations still remembered that SRT workers had litterally cleared the forests on the mountians within a single blink of eyes and left very few trees as facade to fool their inspectors .... and wasted lots of percious wood during the construction process .. such as the Lam Narai short cut (Kaeng Khoi - Chaturat - Bua Yai -> opened in 1967 or so ... )


Well, Premiere Thaksin said there will be a new motorway
connecging Bangkok with Khorat via Nakhon Nayok by extending
Ram Indra - At Narong Expressway to Khorat ....

So far, we have Eastern Kanchanaphisek Outer Ring Road (Highway 9) to be a detour from bang Pa In to BAng Na
and BKK-Chonburi Motor way (Highway 7) as the true dedicated expressways connecting the further provinces (to Pattaya)....
Both motorway intersect at Thub Chang and Highway 7 has connected with Expressway at Sri Nakharin (near Hua Mark Railway Station). Donmuang tollway has already connected with the 1st stage expressway at Din Daeng ... Too bad, Bang Na - Bang Pakong Expressway should be called - a short motorway
... that all do we have ... Hope that the Southern Kanchanaphisek
Outehr RIngRoad as well as the Industrial RIng Road (with 3 bridges intersecting as Y intersection with ceenter ramps) will help more ...

The proposed Motorway from Bang Kapi to Talingchan which have angered those who live along Lad Phrao Road ... They want new line of either Skytrain or Subway ... but NOT the big elevated way from Panasonic Intersection - Ratchawipha - Rama VII - Talingchan ....

The government wants to build such elevated way as the way to bail out Donmaung tollway after NBIA becomes a reality .. Afte all, most of trafic on Donmaung tollway come from Donmaung Airport ...


Too bad, Kawasaki and Hitachi decline to invest on the new
facilities for subway or high speed train since they refuse to transfer the technology to other countries ....

[jpatokal]

Hmm, somewhat oddly I couldn't find any existing threads on this, so here goes:

I'm pleased to confirm that the one major public transport project still in progress in Malaysia, the double-tracking of the line from Rawang to Ipoh (http://www.ktmb.com.my/article.cfm?id=46), seems to be under construction again -- at least in the sense that construction guys were walking up and down the track purposefully when I drove past yesterday. The project in question has been delayed countless times (completion date is currently "early 2007") and it was bogged down completely (http://www.dapmalaysia.org/english/2005/may05/lks/lks3447.htm) earlier this year, so I'm glad to see something is happening again. Once completed, 15 new commuter stations and decent intercity service to Ipoh will give Malaysia's railways a real boost.

[jpatokal]

Some news today, partly contradictory:

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/MM/Thursday/MailMoney/20060105112526/Article/index_html
The infrastructure portion of the double tracking job is about 75 per cent completed, while the Mitsui-led consortium has completed at least 50 per cent of its scope of work.

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=174121
(Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy) said the RM4.1 billion project was scheduled for completion by the end of 2007.

"The infrastructure works which are now 84 per cent completed are scheduled to be ready end of this year while the system works will be fully completed by end of next year to enable the service to be launched in early 2008," he said.

[GWR]

Given that Ipoh is not exactly a prime location (although I suppose it would make a good long-range dormitory :D ), when is there likely to be further doubling? If at all? The second age of the train will be over before they sort who gets to be rich at the taxpayer's expense.

[jpatokal]

Given that Ipoh is not exactly a prime location (although I suppose it would make a good long-range dormitory :D ), when is there likely to be further doubling? If at all? The second age of the train will be over before they sort who gets to be rich at the taxpayer's expense.
Extensions north of Ipoh are unlikely in the short term -- instead, I think most railfans are hoping that the KL-Johor Bahru stretch will get the go-ahead in the Ninth Five-Year Plan, which takes effect this year.

[jpatokal]

KTM's site now says (http://www.ktmb.com.my/article.cfm?id=46):
The balance of the infrastructure works which are now spearheaded by UEM World shall be completed by end 2006 and the system works by Mitsui Transportation Systems by end 2007. Testing and commissioning of KTMB’s train service will be conducted intensively to enable commercial operation by early 2008.

[ncr]

A (sketchy joke of a) "map" (http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/default/articles/101/edt.jpg) and some construction photos (http://www.ktmb.com.my/article.cfm?id=425) from the KTM website.

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/default/articles/101/edt.jpg

[GWR]

What's the Falim Branch out of Ipoh used for these days?

[Sunthorn]

NST says the Ipoh-Padang Besar route may get a double track. The article also talks about building an extension line to the low-cost terminal at Kuala Lumpur International
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Wednesday/National/20061108103714/Article/local1_html

[GWR]

March 17, 2007 15:20 PM

LOI To India For Construction Of Seremban-Gemas Railway Track

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- The Deputy Prime Minister's Office has clarified that the letter of intent (LOI) given to the Indian government for construction of the southbound dual railway track project would involve only the stretch between Seremban and Gemas.

The project was not for the whole Seremban-Johor Baharu stretch as reported by the press today, a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister's Office said today.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia would hand over the LOI to India to participate in the construction of the southbound dual railway track and the Indian government would select a company from that country to construct the railway track.

Najib had disclosed this in Putrajaya after chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee On Public Transport.

Among other things, the meeting had decided that negotiations to finalise the dual railway track project for the Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch must start immediately.

The price negotiations to finalise the contract for the Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch would be undertaken by the Transport Ministry and the Treasury, said Najib. The project would be implemented by MMC Corp Bhd (MMC) and Gamuda Bhd.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=251804

[GWR]

This report seems a bit more definite about the project, including the fact that it will be electrified:

The Associated Press March 16, 2007, 6:21AM Malaysia to revive railway project
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

The Malaysian government announced Friday it is reviving a multibillion-dollar rail project that was shelved in 2003 because of its high cost.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the construction of one of the two electric rail lines -- conceived as Malaysia's largest-ever infrastructure project -- would begin soon after authorities conclude talks on the project's cost and other issues, the national news agency Bernama reported.

The 200-mile line is to link the northern towns of Ipoh and Padang Besar. Another 190-mile line is to run between central and southern Malaysia.

The rail project, previously estimated to cost 14.45 billion ringgit ($3.8 billion), was put aside in late 2003 after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over from former leader Mahathir Mohamad, who had approved it during his last days in office.

Najib said officials have not determined the new cost for the northern link, which will be built by private construction companies Gamuda Bhd. and MMC, according to Bernama. Najib's aides could not immediately be reached for comment.

Najib said Malaysia has sent a letter inviting India to participate in plans for the southern line, and India is expected to appoint a qualified company, Bernama reported. The two countries have cultivated close ties in transportation and infrastructure projects in recent years.

Abdullah had said in 2003 that the project would cost too much, and put it on hold to reduce Malaysia's budget deficit.

The project had earlier been mired in controversy. Mahathir's government originally signed letters of intent with government-linked companies in India and China to build the line. But Mahathir broke the preliminary agreement after three years of negotiations, saying their bids were too high, drawing protests from China and India.

Both Gamuda and MMC are controlled by one of Mahathir's friends and a top businessman, Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary.


http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8NT6VLG0.htm

[GWR]

Two articles indicate the railway engineers are fairly confident this project's time has finally come:

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=258046

April 21, 2007 19:45 PM
Emrail Aims For Northern And Southern Double-tracking Projects
By Umi Hani Sharani

RAWANG, April 21 (Bernama) -- Railway engineering specialist Emrail Sdn Bhd aims to get a piece of the pie in the northern and southern double-tracking railway projects that have been revived by the government, its chairman Tan Sri Zaki Azmi said today.

Zaki said he is confident of the company's ability to take part in the railway projects in view of the expertise and equipment it has acquired, following Emrail's successful and on-time delivery of the 404 km trackworks of the Rawang-Ipoh Electrified Double-Tracking project as well as the civil and infrastructure work at eight of the raiway yards.

Clinching the contracts is essential for Emrail as track construction is the company's bread and butter activity, he explained.

"If we can do it, why should the government give it to foreign companies?" he told Bernama on the sidelines of the launch of the Rawang-Rasa KTM Komuter Services here.

"I don't think there is any competitor here. And more importantly, we have invested a lot of money into real specialist equipment that cannot be used for any other form of construction except railways."

He said Emrail is equipped with the resources (equipment and manpower) to assist the government in the construction of both the 330 km Northern Double-Tracking Project (between Ipoh and Padang Besar) and the 298 km Southern Double-Tracking Project (between Seremban and Johor Baharu).

He said in undertaking the Rawang-Ipoh trackwork, Emrail has procured a fleet of tampers, regulators, ballast wagons and locomotives, among others, which can also be used in future undertakings.

According to Zaki, at the peak of the Rawang-Ipoh project the company had deployed a workforce of about 450 personnel and was successful in achieving an average production of some 20 km of tracks per month.

"We have completed the Rawang-Ipoh project to the satisfaction of the government. Bearing in mind that Emrail is the only Bumiputera-owned tracking company in Malaysia, we hope the government will consider us for tracking jobs for the Ipoh-Padang Besar as well as Seremban-Gemas projects," he said.

It was previously reported that work on the Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch, to be undertaken by the Malaysia Mining Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd consortium (MMC-Gamuda), will begin as soon as the contract price is finalised.

According to Zaki, Emrail is already in talks with the main contractors for both the northern and southern projects. The Seremban-Gemas stretch will see the participation of India's state-owned Ircon Consolidated.

"There is no other company in Malaysia with the experience and specialised expertise like us. So now we are talking to all parties (main contractors of the projects)," he said.

Formerly known as TIME Salam Engineering, Emrail had refocused its core business from a diversified portfolio to become a specialised railway engineering company in which Zaki has a 58 percent stake. The other substantial shareholder of the company is engineer and entrepreneur Tan Sri Hari Naryanan.

On another note, Zaki explained that with Emrail's success in the Rawang-Ipoh job, the company has now developed a pool of local expertise with the experience and relevant technology for high speed track construction.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said today a rapid train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh will begin early next year after the Rawang-Ipoh Double-Tracking project is fully completed by year end.

"Because of the high speed required, you must have the technology to build it including long rails and having specialised equipment like tampers, regulators and track stabilising machines," said Zaki.

"We went through a steep learning curve when we did the Rawang-Ipoh project and it cost us a lot of money," he said.

Asked if Emrail is eyeing other avenues besides the double-tracking projects, Zaki said the light rail transit (LRT) systems that span the Klang Valley is another option.

It was earlier reported that a new light rail transit line linking Kota Damansara and Cheras will be running in four years and the present LRT networks expanded, under a special RM10 billion government allocation for an efficient and cost-effective public transport system in the Klang Valley.

"We have gone into talks with Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) about this and we believe we can do the tracking job (for the LRT)," he said.

SPNB is the assets owner of the public transport infrastructure for both LRT systems, PUTRAline and STARline.

Emrail also aspires to venture overseas, said Zaki, but first it needs the proven track records of home-based projects.

"We were thinking of going regional as the government has been talking about the Singapore-Kunming railway line which has to go through Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, parts of China and Laos," he said.

But the company can't present itself overseas if it does not have a credible resume from its own country, he noted.

"We need to keep ourselves going locally first. At least, we have some home-based contracts delivered before we venture overseas," he said.

"But most importantly is that we are a local company and have delivered the Ipoh-Rawang job. There is no other competitor and there is no reason why we should not get it (northern and southern double-tracking projects).

Except for a company with a similar portfolio in Thailand, Zaki said there is no other company in the region with matching expertise and experience as Emrail.

Zaki said revenue last year was not so good "as we hardly made any money out of the Rawang-Ipoh project because of the initial delays in the project.

"My employer is only the government as nobody else builds rails."

However, he said, the company foresees a lot of potential in the railway business as the government is now embarking on the policy of using railways as an alternative mode to road transport.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=258021

April 21, 2007 17:16 PM
KTMB Sees Growth In Traffic With Electrified Double Tracking

RAWANG, April 21 (Bernama) -- Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) is confident the Rawang-Ipoh electrified double tracking project, to be fully operational by early next year, will grow its passenger and cargo transportation sectors.

"The capacity to transport goods, especially cement, from the north is expected to increase by 50 percent," its managing director, Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah, said at the launch of its Rawang-Rasa Komuter service at the Rasa Station near here today.

For this Rawang-Rasa service, he sees passenger volume reaching two million a year.

Mohd Salleh said KTMB is confident that the service will help stimulate vigorous development in the areas surrounding the route.

To improve the Komuter service, KTMB will carry out a major overhaul of all its electrical multiple units (EMU) in stages, beginning with 50 in August.

With more EMU in good condition, KTMB is confident passengers will notice a marked improvements in service, especially in terms of promptness and frequency.

KTMB intends to maintain the same number of EMU even when it extends the Komuter service to Tanjung Malim early next year, according to a source.

It, however, plans to buy six coaches for the Rapid Train Service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh which will also begin early next year, the source added.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=258014


April 21, 2007 16:42 PM
UEM World Is Keen To Partake In Rest Of The Double Tracking Project

RAWANG, April 21 (Bernama) -- UEM World Bhd is keen to take part in the rest of the double tracking project - Ipoh-Padang Besar and Seremban-Gemas, UEM Group Bhd business development director Mohd Azman Sulaiman said today.

The Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch has been awarded to a consortium of MMC and Gamuda, while Ircon Consolidated will participate in the Seremban-Gemas section.

In August 2005, the RM2.6 billion Rawang-Ipoh electrified double track rail project was taken over by UEM World from DRB-Hicom after 88.14 percent of the work was completed. UEM World received government approval to undertake the project for a contract sum of RM766.97 million.

"If there are opportunities for us to work together, we don't see why not. Even with (Ircon) if there is potential, we will," he said.

This is because UEM World already has the expertise and experience in electrified double track projects, he told Bernama after Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy launched KTM Komuter's Rawang-Rasa service here.

"(Besides) UEM, MMC and Gamuda are common players in the common market. Internationally too we try to collaborate as much as possible. But it is fair to say that different parties are given different opportunities."

UEM World, he said, is on track to complete its work by year end. The 178 km stretch was originally planned to be completed in 2002.

The complete length of the double tracking project between Gemas and Padang Besar is 720.3 km.

-- BERNAMA

[jpatokal]

There are no trains to Penang the island, and neither are any planned -- unaccountably, neither the existing Penang Bridge nor the planned second one have any provisions for tracks. Instead, the article is just an obfuscated way of saying that negotiations for doubletracking the Ipoh-Butterworth stretch may start next year. Butterworth is in Province Wellesley, the delightfully colonially named mainland bit of Penang, and only a short ferry hop away from the island.

[tram1]

Some Government Official is living in the past,
Penang Island had the only Railway Station in Malaysia that never had a train
arrive or leave from it, The Railways use to provide a ferry to mainland for passengers .
Only rail vehicles that past it where trams and Electric train that toke the tin from Weld Quey to Smelters
Ric

[GWR]

July 06, 2007 21:26 PM

SERDANG, July 6 (Bernama) -- The Rawang-Ipoh double track commuter train project is nearing completion, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

"It is almost 99 percent completed. I will be making inspections on it next week," he told reporters after launching the Permai Central Transport Hub near here today.

The RM4.6-billion project spanning 180km, which will provide Rawang and Ipoh a high speed rail link, would be operational by early next year, he said.

Meanwhile, Chan said contractors involved in the Ipoh-Padang Besar double tracking project were working on its cost with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Finance Ministry and his ministry.

The 330km-project is expected to resume early next year and due for completion in 2012. It was postponed in 2003 to curtail government spending on mega projects.

"Once this project is completed, we do not see any problem in operating a commuter train service between Penang and Ipoh," Chan said.


http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=271825

[jpatokal]

SERDANG, July 6 (Bernama) -- The Rawang-Ipoh double track commuter train project is nearing completion, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

"It is almost 99 percent completed. I will be making inspections on it next week," he told reporters after launching the Permai Central Transport Hub near here today.

The RM4.6-billion project spanning 180km, which will provide Rawang and Ipoh a high speed rail link, would be operational by early next year, he said.
The quote is accurate, the reporter's gloss is not. According to scuttlebutt on Skyscrapercity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13700277&postcount=186):

KTMB have not bought any trainsets yet for the transrapid service to IPoh. I believe they'll start the komuter service first along the new route to Ipoh. I dun think KTM is ready to run the transrapid service, the new trainsets would be extremely expensive and high tech..it'd require time and $$ for KTM to operate high speed trains.

:(

[GWR]

Ingress keen on three mega railway projects

PETALING JAYA: Ingress Corp Bhd, which is engaged in power engineering, rail electrification and automotive components manufacturing, is keen to participate in three mega railway projects - Ipoh-Padang Besar double tracking, YTL fast train and Seremban-Gemas double tracking.

“We are very keen in these three mega projects,” executive vice-chairman Datuk Rameli Musa told reporters after the company's AGM yesterday.

He said Ingress would submit its bid for the Ipoh-Padang Besar double-tracking project before end-July while waiting for the bidding process for the other two projects.

Datuk Rameli Musa Rameli said Ingress was confident of winning the projects based on its good track record.

He said the group intended to grow the contribution from the power engineering and rail electrification division to more than 20% by end-2008 backed by several projects in hand from 18% for the year ended Jan 31, 2007 (FY07), and 11% in FY06.

..........

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/10/business/18257592&sec=business

[GWR]

Gamuda, MMC get RM12.5bil rail job

By FINTAN NG

SHAH ALAM: The joint venture between Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd has been awarded the contract to build the northern portion of the Ipoh-Padang Besar double-tracking project at a fixed cost of RM12.5bil.

Works would start in three to six months after most of the designs were finished, Gamuda group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling said after the company's AGM yesterday. The project would take five years to complete.

He said 32 civil engineering firms had been appointed for the design and supervision of the project, which would involve over 2,000 engineers. Lin said the design phase of the project was worth RM420mil in fees.

“The agreement with the Government is one lump sum over the five-year span of the project and we're hedging the prices of the building materials, so even if prices are volatile, we'll not gain or lose,” he said.

Lin said Gamuda and MMC would be directly involved in only 20% of the project with the balance to be outsourced to local companies and contractors.

“In the next few days, we'll be announcing the awards of 16 earthworks and 12 piling contracts worth RM1.6bil, and over the next six months, the first wave of awards totalling RM3.8bil to bumiputra contractors,” he said.

A total 330 packages involving the construction of 100 bridges, 30 station buildings, 180km of culverts and drainage works and 300km would be awarded to these contractors, Lin said.

He said the economic impact of the project was broad based and would benefit those in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Lin said the beneficiaries would include the building materials, automotive and transportation, trading, financial services, and food and beverage industries.

“Over the next five years, 108,000 jobs will be created,” he said.

He said investment in new plants would total RM6bil.

“The spillover effect will be felt in this area because many contractors have not invested in plants and machinery due to a dearth of big projects over the last few years,” Lin said, adding that thousands of vehicles for transport and construction were needed for the project.

He said the project also required steel bars, cement and pre-cast concrete worth a total RM2.2bil.

”We'll need to upgrade or expand 12 quarries near the project sites to supply more than 20 million tonnes of aggregates costing RM300mil,” Lin said.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/15/business/19772078&sec=business

A boon to construction and materials sectors

By YVONNE TAN

PETALING JAYA: Something as massive as the RM12.5bil Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double-tracking railway project is bound to cause ripples in the related sectors.

Among the companies that will enjoy the spillover effects of this mega project, covering 329km, are those involved in heavy machinery, building materials, motor vehicle and transportation sectors.

The MMC Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd joint venture has been awarded a letter of award for the project, which would be implemented as a construction contract with progressive payments.

It is understood that the project would need some 1.5 billion tonnes of cement costing about RM400mil, 400,000 tonnes of steel bars worth up to RM1bil, as well as pre-cast concrete spun piles, square piles, pipes and culverts costing some RM800mil.

The transportation and trading sectors would also see substantial benefits, as a huge number of trailers and tipper trucks would be needed to transport these materials to the project site.

Said Concrete Engineering Products Bhd (Cepco) financial controller W.W. Lim: “It will definitely augur well for us if we were awarded the contract to supply the materials.”

“If we get this contract, it will definitely enhance our earnings,” he told StarBiz yesterday.

According to Lim, Cepco is one of only two firms in the country involved in the manufacture of pre-stressed concrete spun tiles. The other company is Industrial Concrete Products Bhd.

Among those anticipated to be involved in the mega project are cement firms such as Lafarge Malayan Cement Bhd, YTL Cement Bhd and Cement Industries of Malaysia Bhd as well as steel companies like Kinsteel Bhd-Perwaja Steel Sdn Bhd and Southern Steel Bhd.

Companies involved in heavy machinery such as UMW Holdings Bhd and Tractors Malaysia and those involved in motor vehicles such as Proton Holdings Bhd also stand to benefit.

Meanwhile, MMC group chief executive Feizal Ali said in a statement: “We are pleased that the Government has decided to implement this project.

“It will transform the country’s railway services and bring them up to par with the quality of our roads, ports and airports.”

MMC said the implementation of this project would make rail travel a more attractive option and reduce the country’s over-dependence on the road system.

Feizal said the project would provide MMC with a strong order book and a stable income stream for the next five years.

He said MMC and Gamuda had delivered major projects in the past, such as the SMART tunnel, and this latest award affirmed the Government’s confidence in them.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/15/business/19772707&sec=business

[GWR]

See also today's previous post on this project:

Spillover effect of rail project will be widespread

NEWS ANALYSIS BY FINTAN NG

IT’S finally happening. Construction will commence on the 329km northern portion of the electrified double-tracking railway project from Ipoh to Padang Besar by the first half of next year.

This comes after a four-year delay when it was first awarded to a joint venture between Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd.

This time around, the joint venture has been awarded a package worth RM12.5bil on the progressive payment method instead of through private finance initiative as envisaged earlier.

At a press conference after Gamuda’s AGM yesterday, group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling said the project would have a multiplier effect on the economy of the northern region of the peninsula.

The award comes at a time of high fuel and building material prices and after the launch of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) in July.

The cost of the project has been revised upwards from RM8.5bil when it was first awarded in 2003 due to the higher prices.

Lin said the Public Works Department’s tender price index had increased 67% in the four years since the project was first awarded.

He said the project could not be justified on a purely commercial basis.

“The main goal is more socio-economic than commercial because to my knowledge, no railway project in the world is commercially viable.

“In most cases, the government will fund the construction and then the private sector will operate it and receive the revenue via the transport of passengers and freight,” Lin said.

Nevertheless, judging from the figures disclosed, the construction sector would be set for an exciting five years. During this period, as much as RM6bil would be spent on new plants where building materials and machinery would be produced, and that does not include the raw materials such as steel, cement and aggregates needed for the project.

Earlier reports and equity analysts have noted the spillover effects to different sectors of the economy, which Gamuda, in a press release later yesterday afternoon, said would amount to an estimated RM8bil in jobs for local consultants, contractors and suppliers.

It added that the projected gross domestic product growth of the states of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Perlis would be boosted to 8% from 6% while the completion of the project would also boost Penang’s port facilities as well as help businesses located in the region.

Another reported impact is the potential fuel savings from fewer passenger and freight transportation on the roads. Lin said there was potentially RM150bil in savings from petrol and diesel over 30 years based on crude oil price of US$60 per barrel.

In a press statement, MMC group chief executive Feizal Ali said the project complemented the NCER’s vision of becoming a logistics hub.

He added that once completed, the project would complement other portions of the peninsula’s double-tracking railway system and might one day be part of a Trans-Asia line, linking Kunming in China to Singapore.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/15/business/19773535&sec=business

[GWR]

http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=945&Itemid=35
I recommend you do actually visit the article site itself for the fascinating reader comments:

Malaysia’s Big Money Railroad Hustle

Kim Quek
20 December 2007
The government revives a white elephant project for a politically connected construction firm

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who came to office vowing to stop a wide range of money-swallowing projects put in place by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, has caved in to political pressure and reinstates several of them. Now, it appears he is restarting what may be the biggest of them all, a massively expensive rail project tied to a well-connected construction firm that seems to have little hope of recouping its investment.

The government has approved the no-bid contract with Gamuda-MMC for RM 12.5 billion (US$3.73 billion) to double-track the country’s main north-south railway line, a 329 km run from the central city of Ipoh to the Thai border. The MMC part of the consortium is a construction company backed by Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, a long-time backer and fundraiser for UMNO, the largest party in the country’s ruling Barisan National coalition.

Malayan Railways Ltd serves the Malaysian Peninsula with a network of 1,700 km of railways, but it earned only RM 288 million in transportation revenues in 2006, made up as follows:

Intercity services RM 71 million

Commuter services in Kuala Lumpur areas RM 85 million

Freight services RM 132 million

Total RM 288 million

Excluding the commuter services in Kuala Lumpur, the total transportation revenue is RM203 million from a network of 1,525 km of railways. Apportioning 30 percent of this revenue to the Ipoh-border sector — only 22 percent of the 1525 km network — the corresponding revenue is RM60 million.

Granted that traffic volume would increase substantially after completion of the double-tracking project, there is still a limit. Assuming generous seven-fold revenue growth, future annual revenue for this sector could — could be RM 420 million, just 3.3 percent of the initial capital investment of RM 12.5 billion. Such a meager return means that the project would have little significant impact on the economy or transportation in this sector after completion.

But every family in Malaysia would have to shoulder an average burden of RM 2,500 to pay for this folly. If this money were spent for other purposes, the government could complete any one of the following feats:


Plant 1.2 million hectares of mature oil palm capable of generating annual revenues of RM 10 billion (5 million tons of palm oil @ RM 2,000 per ton), or

Build 400,000 low cost housing units, capable of housing to 2 million people, or

Establish 100 medium sized institutions of higher learning, capable of taking in 300,000 students for tertiary education, or

Build 1,200 km of expressways.


The contrast in returns between the double-tracking project and any of the alternatives should indicate that this project is a very low priority. With the country still short of funds to address many social-economic needs, why do this? The circumstances are troubling.

First, there has never been a proper cost/benefit analysis. For a project this large this omission is shocking, but then the cabinet was likely aware that the proposition could not have survived even a preliminary round of analysis.

Second, the project has never been properly discussed in the cabinet – neither during Mahathir’s reign, when the contract was first dubiously awarded to Gamuda-MMC in October 2003 before being shelved in December 2003 after Mahathir left office, nor during Abdullah’s premiership when it was revived in March 2007.

Third, it was the Cabinet Committee on Public Transport – not the cabinet itself– which resurrected the project and awarded the contract to the same contractor in a subcommittee meeting held on March 16, 2007 chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who also made the announcement. That such an important project should have been left in the hands of Najib’s subcommittee reflects Abdullah’s weakness as well as a serious flaw in the decision-making process.

Fourth, no open tender was called. The decision to re-award the contract to Gamuda-MMC was made even before prices were known to the government, thus weakening the latter’s bargaining position and throwing the door wide open for collusion and corruption. What happened to Abdullah’s promises of open tenders, transparency and accountability?

Fifth, the announcement on the official award of this contract with a finalized price was left to the contractor, who also spoke at length on the project’s economic justification, while the government kept silent. Is it the contractor’s business to justify public expenditures? Shouldn’t that be the responsibility of cabinet ministers? Shouldn’t the ministers have appeared to bask in the glory of launching such a project?

Noting the minuscule projected return in relation to the huge capital layout, a series of questions beg for answers. Why did former premier Mahathir Mohammad push for the double-tracking project so urgently days before he stepped down on in October 2003? The contract then was for the construction of both the northern Ipoh-Padang sector and the southern Seremban-Johor Bahru sector for a total contract sum of RM 14.5 billion.

Having rightly shelved the project in December 2003 due to its low priority, why did Abdullah revived it in March 2007? Finding no compelling economic or social rationale, what conclusion can we draw other than to attribute the motivation to base greed – both on the part of the giver and the recipient of the contract?

[Wisarut]

This co0mmentary from Asia Sentinel definitely please thsoe Highway and Automobile advocates -> the regular habit of Yankee Journalists ....

Writing this kind of commentaries to critizing the waste of double tracking and electrtification while advocating more expressway and highways, they will gete BOOED from Thai people immediately ....

[GWR]

Author: Dato' Mohd Salleh Abdullah, Managing Director, KTMB

01 Jun 2007
Malaysia plans five years of rail growth

The Ninth Malaysia Plan outlines all aspects of the country's development framework for 2006-10. Rail investment will focus on increasing operational efficiency, and promoting freight, commuter and inter-city passenger traffic

ON MARCH 31 the government of Malaysia unveiled its Ninth Malaysia Plan, setting out a detailed framework for national economic development in 2006-10. State railway operator KTMB has been allocated US$1·08bn for infrastructure and rolling stock investment focused on increasing operational efficiency, as well as promoting rail for freight transport and as an efficient alternative for inter-city passenger movements.

A special focus is being given to developing urban rail networks like KTM Komuter, encouraging a modal shift from private vehicles to public transport to alleviate traffic congestion. The Plan also calls for better integration between various modes and the different operators' rail networks.

Previous Malaysia Plans emphasised the importance of rail links to major ports such as West Port (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas and North Butterworth Container Terminal (Penang).

Demand for freight movement by rail is continuing to increase, with the Malaysian economy averaging annual growth of 5·2% since 2000. Coupled with that, KTMB has been playing an important role in transporting goods from southern Thailand, with 12 daily freight trains running from the border station at Padang Besar to Penang for export. Landbridge services between Malaysia and Thailand have grown from two services per week when introduced in 1999 to 40 per week, with return shuttles now running on the Port Klang - Bangkok, Pasir Gudang - Bangkok, Penang Port - Surat Thani and Port Klang - Hatyai routes. We currently carry 11 000 tonnes of freight a day on 38 trains, and increased track capacity will accommodate more services on our 1 658 route-km network of largely single-track metre-gauge lines.

At the same time, the demand for commuter services has increased tremendously, encouraged by the government which is keen to promote urban public transport. Ridership in the Klang Valley increased by 59% from 19·4 million in 2000 to 30·9 million in 2005.

This growth in demand was spurred further by an increase in petrol prices from US$0·44 to US$0·52 per litre on February 28 2003. The present 153 route-km of electrified double track in the Klang Valley is now inadequate, so double-tracking and electrification of the 182 km Rawang - Ipoh route was started under the Eighth Malaysia Plan to resolve partly the track capacity constraint.

The Ninth Plan allocates US$270m for the Rawang - Ipoh project, which has been rescheduled for completion by the end of 2007. As well as allowing more freight trains to be run between Ipoh and Port Klang, completion will permit the extension of commuter services from Rawang to Tanjung Malim and the introduction of a rapid train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.

The 25 kV electrification as far as Rasa was energised on September 21, and it is planned that commuter services will be extended to Rasa by end of 2006 to capitalise on the infrastructure which is already completed.

Some of the budget is allocated for improving station facilities to meet the rising expectations of commuters on the existing Klang Valley services. These works include expansion of waiting areas and car parks, additional ticketing facilities, provision of ramps and lifts for disabled passengers, and the construction of canopies to fully cover platforms.
Axleload increase

KTMB has embarked on a long-term project to upgrade from 16 to 20 tonne axleloads, and all new or renewed infrastructure is being designed to this standard. The aim is to improve the productivity of freight trains in particular.

With this in mind, KTMB purchased 20 General Electric locomotives of 3 300 hp in 2003 and a further 20 locos from Dalian in China. These have allowed us to almost double our freight train haulage capacity from 20 to 30 or 40 wagons per train. The order was a precursor to an earlier plan to double the whole north-south West Coast route, but the government has since decided to implement double-tracking in smaller stages. In the meantime, funding has been allocated to strengthen tracks and bridges in critical areas, and works are in progress to increase axleloads on the Seremban - Gemas, Gemas - Kerdau and Bukit Mertajam - Ipoh routes, and between Bukit Timah and Tanjung Pagar in Singapore.
New projects

Long-awaited by the public is the double-tracking and electrification of the 7·5e_STnSkm Sentul - Batu Caves branch north of Kuala Lumpur. Construction is expected to begin by the end of this year for completion within 30 months. The link will not only benefit daily commuters along the route but also the many tourists and pilgrims to Batu Caves.

Another major project is doubling the line through the pass between Taiping and Padang Rengas, which will involve the construction of new tunnels and a change in alignment.

To expand the commuter network to the south, the government has included in the Ninth Malaysia Plan the double-tracking and electrification of the 10 km between Seremban and Senawang. However, the implementation of these last two projects may be delayed to give funding priority to projects which are already committed or underway.

KTMB is to build a new central workshop and Railway Centre of Excellence on a 400 acre site in Batu Gajah, a project which has been identified for funding through a Private Finance Initiative. The workshop has been designed to maintain 120 locomotives, 300 coaches, 408 EMU cars and 4e_STnS000 wagons, and will have ample space for expansion. The Railway Centre of Excellence will be equipped with state of the art training facilities which could cater not only for KTMB staff but also for other railway organisations, particularly from Asean countries.

The Ninth Plan includes the purchase of six EMUs for the planned rapid train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. The six-car sets would be capable of 140 km/h running and would cover the journey in 2 h 15 min. Other rolling stock projects include overhaul of 50 EMUs, 10 shunting locos, 200 coaches and procurement of 40 new coaches. The acquisition of new wagons will be implemented towards the end of the plan period, as our immediate requirements can be met through the improvements in wagon turnaround under current productivity initiatives.

As well as developing its own network, KTMB is also assisting in the modernisation of Sabah State Railway in East Malaysia under the five-year plan (RG 5.06 p244). On behalf of the federal government KTMB is providing project management for an upgrade of infrastructure, signalling and communication systems between Tanjung Aru and Tenom.

Going global

KTMB has been carrying international passenger and freight traffic to Thailand and Singapore for many decades. Demand for cross-border freight services is increasing, particularly as the landbridge services between Malaysia and Thailand offer an attractive alternative to feeder ships.

With globalisation and the opening up of Indo-China and the Chinese market, Malaysia is committed to the implementation of the Trans-Asian Railway. In the first phase of development, we are actively pursuing the implementation of the Singapore - Kunming Rail Link. Malaysia has decided to donate 106 km of recovered rails from KTMB projects for construction of the missing link between Poipet and Sisophon, and these will be sent to Cambodia by November 2006.

Strategy and future policy

KTMB needs to play a greater role in changing Malaysia's transport landscape, which has been too focused on roads. Considering the problems of road congestion, accidents, pollution and rising fuel prices, policy makers have realised the advantages and potential of rail. KTMB will pursue a policy of moving bulk, long haul and dangerous cargoes, where rail is more cost effective and energy efficient than other modes.

Rail will also play a more important role in urban travel, especially in big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Penang and Johor Bahru where systems like KTM Komuter, light rail, and monorails will encoruage modal shift from a largely road-based approach.

Future development and modernisation of Malaysia's rail infrastructure should seriously consider more main-line electrification. KTMB is keen to use electric traction for freight movement, which has now become more pertinent owing to the ever-increasing cost of fuel.

At the moment, there are no plans to allow other companies to run freight trains on our network, although KTMB has permitted open-access for the Eastern & Oriental luxury passenger train between Singapore, Penang and Bangkok.

Recently there was a private proposal to build and operate a high speed line between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. As far as KTMB is concerned, we prefer to concentrate on modernising the existing infrastructure through double tracking and electrification from Seremban to Johor Bahru or Singapore. In this way the huge investment in the railway infrastructure will not solely benefit passenger services, but also freight trains on the existing and well-connected network. Double-tracking and electrification of the existing network would improve our capability, and offer the greatest overall benefit to the country.

Photos not longer present

CAPTION: The newly built Slim River station on the Rawang - Ipoh route will be served by fast trains from KL

CAPTION: Flanked by Komuter EMUs, a freight train passes Rawang KTMB is keen to use electric traction for main line freight operations in future
http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/06/7362/malaysia-plans-five-years-of-rail-growth.html

[GWR]

These may help readers to better visualize the numerous posts in this thread on trackdoubling and other topics. Thanks to alerts from Yappofloyd on this site and Nazrey on
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=149824&page=9

http://img01.picoodle.com/img/img01/9/9/2/f_01m_925daca.jpg

The following map doesn't show some of the freight lines [Well, it is an 'Intercity & Commuter' map!]. These include the Tampines to Port Dickson refinery line, the Kuantan to Kerteh line (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=1231) (run in conjunction with the petrochemical industry) and the Johore Baru to Tanjong Pelepas Port line.

I also note that the Batu Caves line is shown as part of the commuter network, but with a note that two of its stations are not official commuter stations. This line is currently being upgraded with double tracks, electrification and new stations, so that status will probably be changed:

http://www.keretapi.com/grafix/jpeg/railway_map.jpg

Thread on the KTM Komuter network:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=19113#post19113

[GWR]

Perak to have South-East Asia’s longest rail tunnel

By HAH FOONG LIAN

IPOH: South East Asia's longest rail tunnel will be built in Perak as part of the RM12.5bil double tracking project from here to Padang Besar.

Announcing plans for its construction in northern Perak, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the 3.3km-long Berapit Tunnel would be part of 329km-long double tracking project from here to Padang Besar.

"I would like to thank the Perak government for its full commitment in ensuring the smooth construction of the double tracking project," he said here Thursday after attending a briefing on the project with Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

Chan said cooperation from the state government was crucial in ensuring that the project would be built without any hitches.

He pointed out that the Perak government was asked to help resolve problems of squatters and land acquisition so that construction of the project would not be delayed.

"We need the state to help with the relocation of squatter families, surau (Muslim shrines), Hindu and Chinese temples," he said.

He added that the state government would need to help acquire 322ha of land in Perak which was in the way of the project.

The double tracking project from here to Padang Besar is made up of 171km from here to Butterworth and another 158km from Bukit Mertajam to Padang Besar, he said.

Perak, covering tracks measuring 133km long, would make up one of the longest stretch in the entire project, he added.

Chan said the Ipoh-Butterworth stretch would be given priority because it was a continuation of the completed stretch from Rawang to here.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/24/business/20080124153324&sec=business

.....

On the Ipoh-Padang Besar rail project, he [Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy] expected it to be completed on schedule within five years as the state governments concerned had given their commitments to resolve all issues relating to land acquisition and squatter resettlement.

The 329 km RM12.485 billion project began on Jan 8.

According to Chan, the 133 km of rail construction in Perak involves resettling 300 squatter families and the acquisition of 1,200 lots.

“This requires the assistance and cooperation of the state government, and the Menteri Besar has given an assurance and directed state officials to resolve the matter,” he added.

The government has awarded the project to a MMC Corporation Bhd-Gamuda Bhd joint venture, MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd.

Chan said with the completion of the project, Malaysia will have a double-track electrified rail link spanning the length of the peninsula, 635 km between Johor Baharu and Padang Besar.

This will be an integral component of the Asian rail network that will stretch from Singapore to Kunming in China and include the states in Indochina.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/NewsBreak/20080124154107/Article/index_html

January 25, 2008 15:10 PM

Govt Acts As Facilitator To Ensure Bumi Contractors Get 30 Pct Rail

PULAU PINANG, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) represents one of the channels for Gamuda Holdings Bhd and partner MMC Corp Bhd to distribute 30 percent of double-track rail contracts to Bumiputera contractors.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the government only acted as a facilitator to ensure that 30 percent of the jobs were distributed to Bumiputera contractors.

"Both parties (Gamuda-MMC and DPMM) must cooperate on this matter. The government's role is only as a facilitator," he told reporters after launching the Excellence Pledge ceremony at St George's Girls' School here Friday.

Nor Mohamed was commenting on DPMM's call on the government to take firm action to ensure Bumiputera contractors get about RM3.8 billion contracts from the RM12.5 billion project.

The Gamuda-MMC consortium has decided to distribute the contracts to genuine and capable Bumi contractors themselves and not through the association.

-- BERNAMA

Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/

[GWR]

Sunday January 27, 2008
MYT 7:28:34 PM

Double-track railway not Ali Baba project

By NIK KHUSAIRI IBRAHIM

PENANG: The proposed multi-billion ringgit double-track railway between Ipoh and Padang Besar will not end up an "Ali Baba project".

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop expressed confidence that the joint venture company constructing the 329km long double railway track would ensure that the project would have significant bumiputra participation.

"This project will not end up an Ali Baba venture (where the original company that gets the concession to implement a project hands it over to other companies to complete the job),'' he said.

Nor Mohamed said this on Saturday at the Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours" Series 1 with Second Finance Minister at Dorsett Hotel here. The project that would take five years to complete is a joint venture between MMC Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/27/nation/20080127122014&sec=nation

[GWR]

See also previous post:

February 04, 2008 18:13 PM

Bumi Contractors To Get RM3.7 Bln Worth Of Jobs From Perak Rail Project

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said contracts worth close to RM3.7 billion related to the Ipoh-Padang Besar double tracking railway project will be offered to Bumiputera contractors and suppliers.

The Gamuda-MMC consortium which is heading the project has identified 335 work packages which will be offered in stages beginning this month, he said.

For a start, Najib today presented letters of award to 25 Bumiputera contractors who have won various contracts worth about RM400 million in total. Ten Bumiputera engineering consultants have been also awarded work.

Najib said the Gamuda-MMC consortium will be offering 62 packages of work for Class A contractors and 69 packages for Class B and C.

These packages are only the beginning, and more will be offered in stages, he said.

The consortium has identified 180 contractors from Kelas A, B, C and D to participate in the limited tenders for the project.

Among the potential areas of work for offer include the construction of bridge, tracks, drainage, buildings, station, utilities and landscaping.

Najib, who is also Chairman of the Cabinet Committee For Public Transportation, today also reminded the contractors given the jobs not to fail in their work or face the consequence of termination.

"This is important as we do not want the failure of a small group of contractors delaying the project which has been scheduled for five years. Delay and failure is not an option," he said.

At the same time, Najib said the government will consider giving more work to contractors with high performance ranking.

The consortium has also given the assurance that it would make the payments to the sub-contractors in 30 days.

He said the consortium would also help contractors with advance money for the purchase of equipment and provide them the main building materials such as cement, steel and concrete at fixed prices.

This will help the Bumiputera contractors avoid facing the risk of a rise in building materials cost.

On another note, Najib said the Ipoh-Padang Besar rail project was expected to bring spillover economic effects to the states that it will run through.

"With the project, the growth for Perak has been projected at 8.1 percent compared with a 5.7 percent growth (as estimated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan without the double tracking project)."

For Penang, the growth will be 6.8 percent against 6.1 percent without the project, while Kedah will grow 8.7 percent versus 5.9 percent and Perlis 12 percent against 5.3 percent without the project.

"The growth for Malaysia overall has been projected to go up to 6.4 percent with the rail track project," he said.

The project will also enhance the performance and capacity of Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB) and encourage more people to use train services.

Unlike in the developed countries where the use of train services comes to 30 percent, train service in Malaysia currently accounts for only three percent.

Besides the socio economic benefits, the rail track project will give the government the opportunity to restructure the country's transportation system to become more efficient and effective. It will also help the country to continue to keep the cost of doing business competitive.

-- BERNAMA
Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/

..........

The project continues from the double-tracking rail laid down from Rawang to Ipoh, which was completed in Dec 31 last year, and will be carried out by the consortium MMC-Gamuda.

Najib said a study by both the Halcrow consultant in Britain and the Asian Development Bank showed that the project could also see an improvement in the cost of doing business in Malaysia, through more efficient cargo shipment and higher economic rate of returns.

Additionally, he said, rail was more efficient in terms of fuel usage, transport time and reduction of environmental pollution.

“Cargo shipment by rail is six times more efficient while for passenger transport, it is 20 times more efficient. The project will give the Government a chance to completely restructure the country’s whole transport system into a more efficient and effective network, and ensure our cost of doing business remains competitive.

..........
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/5/nation/20236806&sec=nation

[GWR]

MMC-Gamuda JV: Lead contractor for not identified yet
By Francis Fernandez
Published: 2008/03/22

THE MMC Corp-Gamuda joint venture (JV), which is building a double-track rail line from Ipoh to Padang Besar, has not identified the lead contractor for the electrification and signalling systems contract, an official said.

"The tender submissions for the electrification package is still being reviewed, and as such no decision to appoint or shortlist has been made" an official from the JV, who declined to be named said.

The companies that submitted bids were Britain's Balfour Beatty plc and Westinghouse Rail Systems Ltd, Germany's Siemens AG , Italy's Ansaldo STS SpA and French conglomerate Alstom SA

Business Times was told some of the bidders were asked to clarify their submissions and that this could have been misconstrued as them being shortlisted.

Work on electrification and signalling systems can only take place when civil works are done. The cost of the work itself is subjective, depending on several factors such as government-to-government loan arrangements.

Mitsui Corp, Japan's largest trading company, had in 2001 secured an electrification and signalling systems contract valued at RM1.6 billion for 180km of rail lines linking Rawang to Ipoh, as the deal took into account credit provided by Japanese government-linked banks.

It is believed the MMC-Gamuda JV, budgeted as much RM3 billion for the electrification and signalling systems package.

The budget includes possible time-cost delays for the Ipoh to Padang Besar rail lines that run on a 330km track.

On Monday, a media report suggested a late bid by France's Alstom could potentially lower the cost of the package by RM900 million.
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Saturday/Nation/raile.xml/Article/

[GWR]

Thursday April 3, 2008
Rail project to cut KL- Penang journey to just three hours
By ZULKIFLY MOHAMAD

BUTTERWORTH: It will only take three hours to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur by train when the electrified double-track project (EDTP) is completed.

Once operational, commuters can have breakfast in Penang, lunch in KL and return to the island for dinner, all in the same day. Currently, the train journey between the destinations takes about nine hours.

The RM12.4bil stretch from Ipoh to Padang Besar, undertaken by MMC-Gamuda, is now 5% completed and expected to be ready on Jan 7, 2013. It will link up to the Rawang line.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/4/3/nation/n_18railway.jpg
[Photo: The Star - All systems go: Piling works being carried out for the electrified double-track rail project at Simpang Ampat in Nibong Tebal yesterday.]

“Once completed, modern trains with heavier loadings can run on the flatter, straighter alignment at a speed of up to 160kph,” said MMC-Gamuda JV Project director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor.

He said RM10bil had been invested in double tracking the Klang Valley and from Rawang to Ipoh.

“The EDTP can be the backbone for future commuter services in the northern area, similar to the Klang Valley commuter services,” he added.

“It will only take about 90 minutes to travel from Penang to Ipoh by train when the project is completed, compared to about four hours now,” he told newsmen during a site inspection yesterday.
»It will only take 90 minutes to travel from Penang to Ipoh« DATUK AZMI MAT NOR

Azmi said the alignment for the 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar double-track project cuts across the four northern states of Penang, Perak, Kedah and Perlis.

“We are working closely with the four state governments and they are very helpful,” he said.

“We do not foresee much problem for the next five years as 70% of land needed for the project is owned by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).”

Azmi said rail transport in the country currently had a market share of just 3%, compared to road transport which commanded 89% share.

“Over-reliance on road transport is unsustainable, especially during congestion on expressways and festive seasons,” he added.

Azmi said that up to RM3bil worth of construction packages had been awarded to contractors, of which RM1.6bil had been given to deserving bumiputra contractors. About 700 sub-contractors were involved in the project.

He said a further RM2bil worth of projects would be awarded in stages.

Azmi said the EDTP was an extensive infrastructure project which would transform the existing single-track line from Johor Baru to Padang Besar to electrified double tracks, covering a distance of 968km.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20829519&sec=nation

MMC-Gamuda rail project to create 150,000 jobs
By Marina Emmanuel
Published: 2008/04/03

The RM12.5 billion double-tracking rail project will involve the hiring of 5,000 professionals, 12,000 sub-professionals, and over 100,000 skilled and unskilled workers

ABOUT 150,000 jobs will be created under the RM12.5 billion electrified double-tracking railway project over the next five years.

The main contractor, an MMC Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd joint venture, expects the project, which involves laying parallel railway lines over 329km from Ipoh to Padang Besar, to be completed on time in 2013.

About five per cent of the project has been done.

"In addition to hiring 5,000 professionals and 12,000 sub-professional staff, the project will also see over 100,000 skilled and unskilled workers engaged," MMC-Gamuda JV director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor told a media briefing in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, yesterday.

He said since the company took possession of the sites across Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis on January 8, work has been on schedule.

MMC-Gamuda will brief the state governments and local authorities on the progress of the project in their respective states and its benefits.

The infrastructure works in the four northern states include over 196km of railway tracks, stations, depots, halts, yards and bridges, while the system works comprise the relocation of existing services, electrification systems, signalling and communication systems.

MMC-Gamuda has given out RM3 billion worth of construction packages.

"Of the total, up to RM1.6 billion has been awarded to Bumiputera contractors that fulfilled three main criteria of being genuine and having hands-on management experience, capable contractors that have positive track records for both financial and technical, and able to offer competitive pricing via a tender system," Azmi added.

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Thursday/Latest/mgam.xml/Article/index_html

[GWR]

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20829519&sec=nation
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Thursday/Latest/mgam.xml/Article/index_html

May 07, 2008 14:32 PM
India's Railway Minister To Sign Deal In Malaysia Next Week
By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, May 7 (Bernama) -- India's Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will arrive in Malaysia next week to seal the long-standing RM4 billion double-tracking project with Malaysian authorities.

The Malaysian government has awarded the construction of the Seremban-Gemas electrified double-tracking project to the Indian Railway Construction Corporation (IRCON) last year.

The 60-year-old minister, the first-ever Indian Railway Minister to visit Malaysia, will witness the signing of the deal on May 15, slated during his two-day visit to Kuala Lumpur.

"The minister will be visiting Malaysia next week mainly for the signing of the double-tracking project agreement between Malaysia's KTMB and IRCON," a senior officer of the ministry told Bernama.

Prasad became a political celebrity in India after he pulled out the Indian railways from financial quagmire six years ago and is now chanting his mantras on ways to economically manage public railway systems, while postgraduate students queue to hear his management secrets.

Prior to his arrival to Malaysia, Prasad will arrive in Singapore on May 11, where he is expected to lecture about 350 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students at the Institut Europeen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) Asia campus.

In a related development, the Special Central Bureau of Investigation court on Monday had released the minister's passport for his official visit to Malaysia and Singapore.

Prasad's passport has been in court's custody since 1997 pending investigation of a fodder scam case but the minister was allowed to travel overseas three times since then.

-- BERNAMA
Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/

[GWR]

Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/

RM3.45b rail deal
By Sharen Kaur
Published: 2008/05/17

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Saturday/Frontpage/IRCON.xml/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph8/ong.jpg
[Photo: Business Times Online]

Indian Railway is expected to call for tenders soon to pick sub-contractors for the double-tracking project stretching from Seremban to Gemas

THE award of the RM3.45 billion 100km electrified double-tracking railway from Seremban to Gemas in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia to Indian Railway Construction Co (Ircon) has put to rest a major controversy that had threatened to sour relations between Malaysia and India.

In 2001, the government had awarded a US$3.5 billion (RM11.4 billion) double-tracking project to Ircon, India's national railway company, but withdrew the contract two years later without explanation.

Last year, Malaysia invited Ircon to re-submit its bid, leading to the award of the Seremban-Gemas portion in December.

"I'm happy that relations between India and Malaysia are growing in a comprehensive manner and trends are most positive," India's railway minister Lalu Prasad said at the signing of the contract between the government and Ircon in Putrajaya yesterday.


Prasad said that bilateral trade between Malaysia and India grew 24 per cent to US$8.1 billion (RM26.3 billion) last year, adding that Malaysian firms had been awarded US$6 billion (RM19.5 billion) worth of construction projects in India.

"There will be more opportunities for Malaysian firms in India, especially in infrastructure construction and railway development," he said.

Meanwhile, an Indian official, who declined to be named, suggested that India's idea of building a monorail in Patna, Bihar, which may exceed RM1 billion, could be undertaken jointly with a Malaysian firm, citing Scomi Group Bhd.

"The idea has been presented to the Malaysian government in a meeting held on Thursday. Ircon is now doing a study on the local monorail model to see if it's feasible in complementing India's other modes of transportation," the official told Business Times.

Malaysia's design-and-build double-tracking contract, which will be fully funded by the government, will be implemented in four years.

It will cover 34 river bridges, 27 road bridges, 107 culverts, two viaducts of 1.25km and 0.6km lengths and an 8km tunnel.

Ircon will build the first stretch from Seremban to Sg Gadut in three years, and then from Sg Gadut to Gemas, finishing the lines by July 2010.

The project will benefit Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd as it will be able to extend its commuter services to Gemas instead of making its last stop in Seremban.

Ministry of Transport finance secretary Datuk Tan Kiong Han said that payments to Ircon will be made progressively, adding that the government had issued two payments since the company started works on January 15.

It is learnt that IJM Corp Bhd is the main player for the railway job and that Ircon will call for tenders soon to appoint sub-contractors.

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Saturday/Frontpage/IRCON.xml/Article/

Related post on Indian Transport Minister Lalu's plans for the Indian Railway System:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=21080&postcount=18

[GWR]

Tenders may be called
By Sharen Kaur
Published: 2008/06/16

DRB-HICOM and IJM Corp may bid for the RM8 billion contract to lay rail tracks connecting Gemas to Johor Baru, says an industry source

THE government may call for tenders for the Gemas-Johor Baru railway project by the year-end, says a government source.

A source from the Ministry of Transport said it was in the government's interest to complete the southern portion of the country's electrified double tracks.

"The government will call for tenders, but this is subject to the mid-term review.

"The single tracks are now running from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth. So the whole stretch of the double tracks must be completed to improve efficiency," he told Business Times.

An industry source said that DRB-HICOM Bhd and IJM Corp Bhd may bid for the RM8 billion contract to lay new rail tracks connecting Gemas in Negri Sembilan to Johor Baru.

DRB-HICOM, a car and banking group that also has expertise in engineering, is expected to submit a detailed proposal comprising design, layout and cost structure to the government in the second half of the year.

"DRB-HICOM is keen to work on the double tracks. They may either work with a local or foreign party in securing the contract or bid for it on their own," the source said.

The source said DRB-HICOM had previously made a presentation to the government for the project late last year.

Key executive officials of DRB-HICOM were not available for comment at press time.

The project involves building over 200km of parallel railway tracks, including stations, depots, halts, yards and bridges.

Work will also cover systems such as electrification, signalling and communications.

Both DRB-HICOM and IJM are experienced in railway work.

IJM is one of three sub-contractors for the RM3.45 billion Seremban-Gemas double-tracking railway project.

IJM managing director Datuk Krishnan Tan Boon Seng, however, told Business Times through e-mail that IJM was not involved in any submission for the Gemas-Johor Baru stretch.

DRB-HICOM, meanwhile, was a main contractor for the RM4.6 billion Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking project awarded in 2000.

However, the project faced delays and the government eventually asked UEM Builders Bhd to complete it.

The Rawang-Ipoh project was finally completed last year.

Malaysia's other double-tracking project is the RM12.5 billion rail link between Ipoh and Padang Besar. This is being done by Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd, and slated for completion in 2013.

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Monday/Latest/DHB.xml/Article/

[GWR]

Two articles:

Wednesday June 25, 2008
RM12bil double-track project 8% done
By Zulkifly Mohamad

BUTTERWORTH: The RM12.485bil electrified double track project from Ipoh to Padang Besar which commenced in January is now 8% complete.

An MMC-Gamuda JV Project spokesman said to date, 160km of the total 329km stretch of the project had been opened for works.

He said presently, the joint-venture partners for the project were actively involved in six major works.

“They include utility works such as relocating gas pipelines, water pipes and electricity cables. Works are also in progress to install fibre-optics for telecommunications facilities along the double tracks and stations,” he said.

He said works to build two double-barrel tunnels in Bukit Berapit with a distance of 3.3km and 330m for the other tunnel in Larut had begun.

“Various soil treatment methods are being carried out at all opened locations while earth and drainage works are also in full swing at such locations.

“The earthworks include ground levelling, cut and fill, land removal and preparation of access roads,” he added.

MMC-Gamuda JV Project has been given 60 months to deliver the project on Jan 7, 2013. They received the Letter of Award from the Government on Dec 13, last year, and took possession of the site on Jan 8.

The spokesman said work to build land viaduct at Bukit Mertajam in Penang and marine viaduct at Bukit Merah in Perak was progressing as scheduled.

The double-tracking main line would cover a distance of 171km from Ipoh to Butterworth while the Kedah line, from Bukit Mertajam to Padang Besar in Perlis, would stretch 158km.

It is touted as the single largest and one of the most expensive construction projects in the country and would create more than 100,000 jobs for the people in Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

Two million pieces of pre-cast concrete sleepers, 1.5mil tonnes of cement and 400,000 tonnes of steel are required to build the entire railway line.

Gamuda group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling was quoted as saying that the agreement with the government was one lump sum over the five-year span.

“We are hedging on the prices of building materials, so even if prices are volatile, we will not gain or lose,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/6/25/north/21648178&sec=North

Wednesday June 25, 2008
No to proposed railway flyover
By raslan baharom

Residents at Jalan Kolam Air in Kuala Kangsar are worried that they may be evicted from their homes - all because of a proposed railway flyover,which they say they don't need.

“We already have two railway flyovers, one leading to Taman Bunga Raya and another to the Kuala Kangsar industrial estate, which are less than four or five kilometres apart.

“We think another one in between the existing two doesn't serve any purpose,” said retired teacher Jagir Singh.

He said the alignment of the proposed railway flyover stretched from the vicinity of their homes to the cemetery on the other side of the railway track.

Jagir Singh, 67 said other than the two flyovers which enabled road users to get across the railway track in the vicinity safely, there was also a railway underpass in nearby Padang Rengas.

“These two flyovers and the underpass are enough to prevent anyone from being hit by passing trains and we don’t see any use for another new flyover,” said Jagir Singh was appointed chairman of a newly-formed action committee to protest against the plan.

The committee had sent a protest note, signed by 102 residents, to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin in April but apart from a reply from the latter’s political secretary, no other positive development had since transpired, said Jagir Singh.

“We are not against the development or the electrified double-track project but the proposed flyover would involve land acquisition and although we would be compensated, where can we go,” said S. Muthiah, a 65-year-old retired school gardener.

Scrap metal dealer P. Maniam, 48, said he moved here in 2000 after his scrapyard in nearby Manong had to make way for the Sultan Abdul Jalil bridge project.

Divine Life Society secretary R. Sivalingam said the association owned a plot of land located on the alignment of the proposed flyover.

“Based on the proposal, part of our land would be acquired which would hamper the building of a three-storey building to accommodate orphans and old folk,” he said.

At nearby Kampung Simpang Tiga Talang, the villagers were also having sleepless nights following notification by some private land surveyors in April that part of their village would have to make way for a new railway station to replace the existing one in Jalan Sultan Idris.

Village chief Norahim Omar said he had written appeal letters to the Mentri Besar, Bukit Chandan state assemblyman and the Penghulu’s Office since April but had not received any response.

Norahim said the plan to build a new railway station there would involve the acquisition of at least 11 ancestral homes.

“KTMB owns a large plot of land adjacent to the existing railway station on Jalan Sul- tan Idris and we can’t understand why our land and homes are being targeted?” Norahim said.

A spokesman from the Public Works Department, when contacted, said a meeting with the affected residents was being organised.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/6/25/north/21635415&sec=North

[jpatokal]

Finally some services on the new double-tracked section from Rawang to Ipoh... NST (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2388481/Article/index_html):

Razak said the train from Ipoh will make nine stops: Batu Gajah, Kampar, Tapah, Sungkai, Tanjung Malim, Kuala Kubu Baru, Sungai Buloh, Kepong Sentral and the old Kuala Lumpur train station, before arriving at KL Sentral.

The last train from Kuala Lumpur will leave at 9.45pm and is expected to reach Ipoh by 12.30am.

There will be 10 trips a day, five each starting from Ipoh and KL Sentral.

Razak said the one-way fare will be as low as RM10. ...

"We hope to cut the travelling time to two hours and 15 minutes when we get five new sets of trains from South Korea in 2010," he said, adding that the new train sets would cost a total of RM240 million.

But that's still kind of pathetic. 2:45 to travel 179km? (Track length, not as the bird flies.) Even the new Korean trains, which can apparently do 140 km/h (--> 1:15 at full speed), will apparently spend an entire hour stopping, starting or just idling. What happened to the promised intercity services? :confused:

In other news, MMC-Gamuda has a new, spiffy and not entirely content-free website for the next Ipoh-Padang Besar (Thai border) stretch (329 km)

http://www.2t.com.my/