KOTA BARU: The government will conduct a comprehensive study before deciding whether to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) to Rantau Panjang which is estimated to cost another RM2 billion.

Transport minister Anthony Loke said his ministry would hold further discussions with other ministries including the Finance ministry before taking the next course of action.

Loke said his ministry would also hold a discussion with the Thai government on this issue.

"We need to carry out a thorough study before deciding to extend the ECRL track to Rantau Panjang.

"This is not a small project and we estimate it will cost about RM2 billion," he told reporters after meeting Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud today.

Loke said the request for the extension was among the issues raised by the state government in its meeting with the Prime Minister recently.

The 665-kilometre-long ECRL which connects four states, is expected to link Kota Bharu to ITT Gombak in four hours as compared to seven hours by road transport or some 12 hours or more during the festive season.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1050116/govt-conduct-study-extending-ecrl-rantau-panjang