Selangor Journal
The ECRL service will connect East Coast states such as Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang as well as Negeri Sembilan, Putrajaya with the Klang Valley. — Picture via FACEBOOK/ECRL

State agencies mobilised in objection of ECRL’s northern alignment

By Mustakim Ramli

SHAH ALAM, Oct 6 — State government agencies have been mobilised to submit an objection to the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) construction via the northern alignment, said the Selangor executive councillor for environment.

Hee Loy Sian said the official objection was made at the ECRL’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) public display of the Gombak-Serendah-Port Klang route that started from September 21 to October 19.

“We have instructed Luas (Selangor Water Management Authority), Gombak Land Office, Hulu Selangor Land Office, local authorities (PBTs) such as Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) to submit objections.

“Similarly we also asked the residents around the area who are threatened and affected by this project, to file their objections,” he said when contacted.

The exco added the state government would not help in terms of land acquisition if the federal government seeks to continue the project in the southern alignment.

“They need to respect the fact that land, forest reserves and water are under the jurisdiction of the state government. The impact of this project is immense if river pollution occurs because there are four water treatment plants (that are at risk) that provide supply to 70 per cent of consumers in the Klang Valley.

“We are not objecting to the ECRL itself but its alignment route, so do not misunderstand. On the other hand, we have also put forward the view that the southern alignment is better and safer from (the risk of) pollution,” he said.

The public, especially those staying along the northern alignment, can take full advantage of the EIA ECRL project’s public display of the Gombak-Serendah-Port Klang route to submit objections.

The EIA report can be obtained via bit.ly/ECRLC2EIA and the public can share their comments at bit.ly/ECRLC2_EIAFEEDBACK.

The documents are displayed at the Department of Environment (DOE) in Putrajaya and The Land Public Transport Agency at Menara Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali, Kuala Lumpur.

Apart from that, the documents are also available at Selangor DOE in Wisma Sunwaymas, Shah Alam; Selayang Municipal Council; Kuala Selangor Municipal Council; Klang Municipal Council and Hulu Langat District Council.

On April 5 the Federal government announced its approval to reverse Section C of the ECRL alignment from the southern to the northern route, which was previously approved under the former Barisan Nasional administration.

The northern alignment would see the ECRL traverse from Mentakab to Port Klang via Bentong, Gombak and Serendah, compared to the southern alignment via Negeri Sembilan.

On March 31, Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said that the state administration maintained its stance in choosing the southern alignment (HuluLangat-Sepang-Westport) for the ECRL project.

He said the decision took into account factors including cost-savings, opening more new economic areas and avoiding disruption to water catchment areas around the Selangor River Basin, as well as land acquisition issues.

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