By Yasmin Ramlan
GOMBAK, Oct 29 — The Selangor segment of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which includes five strategically located stations, is poised to create new opportunities for economic activity, significantly enhancing logistics and trade facilitation.
Citing the ECRL Integrated Land Use Master Plan, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said each of the five stations in Selangor is designed to fulfill a specific role.
“The Gombak Integrated Terminal station acts as a passenger gateway to the east coast region, while Bandar Serendah is designated as a logistics hub.
“The Puncak Alam station will support heritage tourism, the Kapar station is planned as a high-value industrial area, and the Jalan Kastam station will serve as an international gateway,” he said at the ECRL Gombak Tunnel breakthrough ceremony today.
The Bandar Serendah and Jalan Kastam stations, in particular, will have a consequential impact on the state and is expected to “open up new corridors for economic activity, significantly boosting logistics and trade facilitation.”
One example is Bandar Serendah, which Amirudin said has immense potential due to its connectivity to Port Klang and Kuantan Port, allowing businesses to efficiently deliver goods using ECRL’s cargo services.
This connectivity will facilitate the movement of cargo from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia to Klang and Penang, through the Bandar Serendah station, thereby strengthening the region’s economic corridors and establishing vital links to key ports like the Kuantan Port, the Penang Port, and the Tanjung Pelepas Port.
“The Selangor government welcomes the initiative to enhance the Bandar Serendah area as an important location for the new cargo transshipment and interchange hub in the state.
“We are thankful that this next step will contribute to the growth of industries such as automotive, railways, steel, and aerospace from major companies,” he said.
The Menteri Besar added that the ECRL project is a national initiative designed to serve as the transport backbone, connecting the Klang Valley with main cities along the east coast, including Bentong, Kuantan, Kemaman, Kuala Terengganu, and Kota Bharu.
“This project, which enhances the public transport system, is expected to create an agglomeration effect that will improve access and connectivity, generating job opportunities and economic centers to stimulate activity along the ECRL corridor, leading to a more equitable distribution of socio-economic opportunities.
“Therefore, Selangor is committed to facilitating the implementation of such projects that encompass land use, provided that these developments do not negatively impact the residents,” he said.
The ECRL line spans 665km, of which an estimated 92km is located in Selangor. The project is reported to have reached 72.93 per cent completion as of September.
It is expected to be completed by December 2026, and operational from January 2027 onwards.
