Najib: Stage one of MRT works on time, budget

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 — The first phase construction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project can be completed according to the original schedule at the end of 2016.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the implementation of the first phase of the Route 1 Sungai Buloh-Kajang beginning from the Sungai Buloh station to Semantan station, had met the budget stipulated and the construction cost was expected to be below RM23 billion.

The first MRT route (Sungai Buloh-Kajang) involved two phases: Sungai Buloh to Semantan (phase one) and Semantan to Kajang (phase two).

The 51-kilometre project with 31 transit stations also passed through the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

He said the problems faced previously in implementing the project could mostly be resolved amicably, especially concerning land acquisition.

Najib disclosed this to reporters after visiting the construction site for the Cochrane underground MRT station, here this afternoon.

Also present were Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid, Underground-Tunnel Director Blaise Mark Pearce, and MRT Corp chairman Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.