12 weeks to conduct RM36bil MRT feasibility study

The Star 9/7/2010

Consultants said to advise Govt on four main aspects including suitability and cost

PETALING JAYA: The feasibility study on the proposed RM36bil mass rapid transit (MRT) system by Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd is expected to be presented to the Government in about three months time, said a source familiar with the matter.
It was earlier reported that the Government had appointed two independent consultants – Minconsult Sdn Bhd and Andercon Technologies Ltd – to carry out the study.

The source said the consultants had been given a period of 12 weeks to revert and present their recommendations on the project to the Government. “They are to review and advise the Government on the MRT proposal in relation to its suitability with policy objectives, strategies on public transport, socio-economic benefits as well as its feasibility and cost,” it said.

It is understood that the consultants have been hired by the Finance Ministry in consultation with the recently-formed Land Public Transport Commission or SPAD.
Minconsult was involved in the bridge maintenance and management system study for phase 1 of the Star LRT project. SPAD is supposed to coordinate, integrate and regulate all public transport systems in the country as well as come up with a masterplan.

Previous reports indicated that the MRT project might start as soon as early next year.
To recap, MMC and Gamuda in a joint venture, had submitted a proposal dubbed the Klang Valley integrated transportation system, which was presented to the Economic Council in February. The proposed MRT network consists of two radial lines and a circle line, which has similarities with the train networks in most major cities. It is commonly known as a “wheels and spokes” concept. In total, the MRT network will cover up to 150km of lines, with about a third of them to be built underground.

Although analysts are generally positive about the project, questions remain as to whether the Government can afford such a massive project. It is also left to be seen if the Gamuda-MMC proposed MRT project will be part of SPAD’s public transport masterplan

Minconsult is multi-disciplinary engineering and project management company that offers a wide range of engineering consultancy services in the civil and structural, mechanical, electrical, petrochemical and environmental fields. The company was involved in bridge maintenance and management system study for KTMB Bhd, Phase 1 of Star LRT system (now Ampang Line) and the feasibility study for the proposed Kota Damansara-Central Business District-Cheras LRT line, according to its website.
Andercon is a Canada-based company specialising in installing, configuring, and administering Oracle database infrastructures.