KOTA BARU:The water supply issues in a few districts in Kelantan are expected to be resolved by 2028.

State Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin said the issue only involves certain districts like some parts of Tumpat and Kota Baru.

"Those affected by the issue need to be patient as the state government has been making various efforts to solve this.

"We have 42 water treatment plants in the state and someof them are still under contruction but we hope all of these problems can be settled by 2028," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after breaking fast with the management and staff of East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) here last night.

Also present were Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak and state Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor.

Dr Izani said the state government has also identified about 5,000 km of old pipes that need to be replaced.

"The state government will make a request to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to enable the replacement work to be carried out as soon as possible.

"So far, we can only replace about 150km of pipes in a year. We will make the request so that we can appoint more contractors and increase this to about 250km of pipes per year," he added.

On the ECRL project, Dr Izani said it would be a catalyst that can boost the economic development of both the west and east coast states.

"The good connection from the ECRL project will stimulate investment and commercial activities along the coastal rail line network.

"The project will also give a positive impact to the environment by reducing transport carbon emissions," he added.

Meanwhile, Darwis said construction of ECRL projects in four states have reached a progress rate of 62.40 per cent as of last month.

He said the projects which covered Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, would begin operations in 2027.

He added the construction of the ECRL project in Kelantan is one of the easiest, especially in terms of land acquisition.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1030079/kelantan-water-supply-issue-expected -be-resolved-2028-says-state-exco