Electrified rail job may be scaled down

Electrified rail job may be scaled down
BTImes
Published: 2008/09/27

The northern track does not need a high-speed train service, as it is mostly cargo trains which ply the route rather than those carrying passengers


THE government is thinking of doing away with the electrification work for the double-tracking railway project from Butterworth to Padang Besar.It was learnt that the northern track does not need a high-speed train service as it is mostly cargo trains which ply the route rather than those carrying passengers."We have not really received any request from the government. But we were told that there is a possibility that the government wants to reduce the scope of work between Butterworth and Padang Besar," MMC Corp Bhd chief executive officer Hasni Harun said.MMC is partnering Gamuda Bhd to carry out the electrified double-tracking project. They are awaiting official word from Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd before starting talks with the government on whether to continue the project on a smaller scale.
On the impact will be if the scope of work is reduced, Hasni said: "A few hundred million (ringgit), but it will not affect our bottom line."