The sight of barricades and heavy machinery is common in Kuala Lumpur. The crawling and the inconvenience caused is the price for the country's most costly infrastructure project: the Klang Valley My Rapid Transit (MRT).
The 51km project is being built at a cost of RM22.2 billion and will be ready between 2016 to 2017. Feasibility studies on the second line has been completed and waiting for green light from the newly formed cabinet. Line 2 is much bigger than the first line. Initial estimates peg the Line 2 at RM24.9 billion once the line is extended from Serdang to Putrajaya. The studies showed that 20% more people or 550,000 passengers a day will commute via line 2 as opposed to 460,000 to line1.
The burning questions that the government need to address is the increase strain on its fiscal position. A lot of promises were made in the run-up to the general election and the financial issue will be in the spotlight by economist. It is reported that the cost to fulfil the Barisan Nasional manifesto will be ballooned nearly RM12.5 billion. Spin off and benefits of better transportation system has to be weighed against such hindrance.
Source:The Star, 18 / 05 / 2013
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