RESIDENTS in Puncak Alam, Selangor, where a northern alignment East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) station is to be built, are hoping authorities will heed their concerns before embarking on the project.

The residents have requested that the station be built once the project commences and not be part of a future undertaking.

Bayu Suria Puncak Alam residents association chairman Mohamed Rohaizal Alluwi said a letter on their requests has been sent to the Transport Ministry (MOT).

“We asked that the Puncak Alam station be built when Phase 1 of the project starts and not as a future station to be completed by 2026,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said their association had also separately requested that all mitigation factors be put into place, such as traffic, environmental impact, noise pollution and others during and after construction.

Rohaizal said that the letter to the MOT was signed by 22 residents associations in the area.

“The letter was sent this year and we believe the government will address our concerns.”

On June 5, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz announced the approval to construct a ECRL station in Puncak Alam after meeting chairmen of various residents’ associations in the area. They agreed for a ECRL station to be built.

Rohaizal said in August last year the residents were approached to attend a briefing session by ECRL consultants.

“They said that the northern alignment in Shah Alam will be passing our residential area.

“Our apartments are very close to the line – about 100m away – and that’s why we were invited for the briefings.”

He said after the briefings they conducted a survey among residents in their area on their stand and whether they agreed to the project.

“So, when ECRL finalised the northern alignment, close to 90% of the residents agreed to it (project).

“Puncak Alam and Kapar were identified as future stations. But, our agreement comes with conditions.

“We have asked that the Puncak Alam station be built when Phase 1 of the project begins.

“Based on the minister’s announcement we hope the government has considered and approved our requests.”

On how the ECRL will benefit the residents, he said from what they gathered from the briefings, the operation will consist of 70% cargo and 30% passengers.

“It will benefit those who want to go to the east coast. They can also connect from Puncak Alam to the Bandar Baru Serendah station to interchange with the KTM station to go north or south or even to Kuala Lumpur.

“So far, that’s what we understand (about the project).”

In April, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Darwis Abdul Razak said the ECRL project construction is 28.57% complete.

He said the percentage included construction works in four states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor – and was on track to be fully completed by December 2026.

The 665km rail network, which includes 59 tunnels, is estimated to cost RM50.27 billion and will traverse the four states. – June 21, 2022.