Work on the Gombak Integrated Terminal station for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Malaysia has recently begun. The station is located on an 8.73-ha site, which is positioned at the edge of the ‘Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge,’ believed to be the longest quartz formation in the world.  

Built for passenger use, the ECRL Gombak Integrated Terminal station will feature an elevated platform as well as various facilities such as carpark, pick-up and drop-off areas, covered walkways, staff quarters, and garden-landscaped areas. It is also expected to link with the existing Gombak LRT station to facilitate connectivity via the LRT Kelana Jaya Line.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the station paves the way for the scheduled completion of the ECRL rail alignment from Kota Bharu, Kelantan to the Gombak Integrated Terminal, Selangor in December 2026. The alignment between Gombak and Port Klang is expected to be completed by December 2027 instead. [Scroll down to watch the video of the ECRL site progress].

According to Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), the construction of the RM50.27 billion ECRL network that traverses the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor has achieved a progress of 67.09% as of May 2024. The implementation of this ECRL project is supervised by the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT).

“The ECRL will optimise connectivity for passengers and freight between the east coast and west coast of Peninsular Malaysia when operational. We anticipate the ECRL to drive the shift of cargo movements from road to rail, which is a safe alternative mode of transportation for long distances as well as environmentally friendly and cost-effective,” said Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia.

“MOT is also exploring the possibility of extending the ECRL alignment to tap into Thailand’s rail network, paving the way for the ECRL to be part of the Pan-Asian rail network that is able to link Malaysia with China, hence realising the vision of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).”

“The ECRL will promote greener modes in passenger travel and freight transportation along its electrified rail network that links cities, towns, ports and industrial parks,” added Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, chairman of MRL. “The ECRL will also be equipped with 4G LTE-Railway communications network to facilitate fast communications and efficient signalling system as well as stable multimedia services.”

The 665-km ECRL that starts from Kota Bharu and terminates at Port Klang will feature 20 stations, comprising 10-passenger only stations and another 10 stations combining passenger and freight. The ECRL passenger train will cut travel time and expected to link Kota Bharu with Gombak in four hours as compared to some seven hours via road transportation.

MRL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance (Incorporated), is the project owner of the ECRL while CCCC is the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractor for the project.