Penang Still Waiting For Green Light From MOT For LRT project

Penang is ready to kick off full-scale construction of the Mutiara Line LRT but the state is still waiting for the official go-ahead from MRT Corp and the Transport Ministry.

According to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, early-stage work like soil testing, land acquisition, and compensation talks is already underway. But actual construction by SRS Consortium, the appointed contractor for Package 1, can only begin once formal approval is granted.

“We’ve done our part by handing over the LRT project to MRT Corp. It is now the federal government’s responsibility to issue the notice so construction can begin fully,” he says, clarifying that the state’s role with SRS Consortium now pertains solely to the Penang Transport Master Plan, as federal authorities have fully taken over the LRT project.

To avoid the kind of gridlock KL faced during its LRT construction, Chow said keeping roads open will be a top priority once the Mutiara Line project begins. He also assured that contractors will widen lanes near construction zones to reduce disruption for road users.

“Our focus is on making sure the project runs smoothly without creating traffic nightmares,” Chow said, adding that there are no plans to introduce any congestion charges.

The Mutiara Line will stretch 29.5km across Penang, linking the island’s southern tip to the northeast and extending all the way to the mainland. The RM10.5 billion project will feature 21 stations, designed to improve connectivity and ease daily commutes across the state.