Penang seeks conditional approval for LRT project

PENANG is hoping to get a conditional approval for its proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He hoped that the approval could be obtained after the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project is tabled at the National Physical Planning Council meeting in April.

“The ministry should, at least, give us a conditional approval so that we can work on complying with the requirements needed,” Chow told a press conference in Komtar today.

Chow said that granting conditional approval was not something new.

“(For example), the contractor must comply with 59 conditions before obtaining the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the three paired roads project. That is quite normal.

“Even in local councils, there are approvals granted with conditions to be complied,” he said.

Chow said the conditional approval could prevent a ‘chicken and egg’ situation – which is to get the approval for reclamation first, or the railway scheme.

“Nothing will move if you take this approach. After getting the conditional approval, things will fall into place,” he said.

Chow attended the National Transport Council meeting in Putrajaya last week where he brought up several issues pertaining to transportation in Penang.

“With regard to the LRT project, a representative from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) had requested for the proposed PSR project to be tabled at the National Physical Planning Council meeting in April, and for the EIA to be submitted.

“We have submitted the EIA (earlier) and we are now making some improvements to it after receiving feedback from various technical committees,” he said.

As for the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) project, Chow said that the state is now awaiting the decision from the Department of Environment (DoE) regarding the EIA application for PIL1.

“The final meeting with DoE has been conducted. We are now waiting for the decision letter,” he added.

Story by K.Thaarshenii
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Alvie Cheng