KUALA LUMPUR: Technical studies and land acquisition are underway for the proposed extension of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), with physical construction to begin once the alignment corridor is secured.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the first two years would focus on land acquisition and technical assessments before ground works could begin.
"Right now, we are in the stage of technical studies and land acquisition.
"The first two years will be focused more on land acquisition and technical evaluation because for that entire corridor, we still have to acquire land from the state government as well as local landowners," he said after opening Transport Expo Asia 2026.
Loke said the entire extension project would take about four and a half years to complete.
On Oct 14, he said the ECRL had reached 95.08 per cent overall progress and entered its testing and commissioning phase ahead of commercial operations in January next year.
Phase One, covering the Kota Baru-Gombak alignment, remains on track for completion in December, with operations targeted to begin in January 2027.
Loke said the cabinet had also approved a 32km extension to the Malaysia-Thailand border following discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang during Anwar's visit to China.
"It will serve as a critical connection to strengthen regional cross-border logistics and connectivity with Thailand," he said.
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