‘LRT extension completed within budget’
SUBANG JAYA: Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has kept the construction of its Kelana Jaya and Ampang light rail transit (LRT) line extension project within its RM8 billion budget.
“Although we haven’t closed the budget yet, I think we are within the RM8 billion budget,” said Prasarana president and chief executive officer Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz.
He was speaking at a briefing and tour of Putra Heights LRT station yesterday, to signal the completion of the LRT line extension project launched in 2011.
Azmi said Prasarana had obtained certificates of completion and compliance from the relevant authorities and the railway operating licence from the Land Public Transport Commission, in time for the official launch of the Putra Heights LRT station by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Thursday.
The lengthened network incorporating 25 new stations will converge at the Putra Heights LRT station.
Azmi said Prasarana expected daily ridership to increase by an additional 170,000 passengers for the Kelana Jaya line and 130,000 passengers for the Ampang line.
The network is expected to stimulate economic activities around the neighbourhoods.
Azmi said he expected the productivity of the population in these areas to increase.
“Members of the public will be able to minimise travel time to enhance their economic activities. This will contribute to economic growth within the area and Greater Kuala Lumpur.”
He said the economic impact from the LRT line extension could only be determined two or three months after the launch.