(Updated) Pan Island Link’s EIA report approved by DOE: Penang CM

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the Penang government considers the approval a major milestone, as the project can now move forward.

NSTP/SHAHNAZ FAZLIE SHAHRIZA

GEORGE TOWN: The Department of Environment (DOE) has granted conditional approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the proposed Pan Island Link 1 (PIL 1), a component of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

The DOE conveyed its approval to the Penang government via a letter dated April 10.

It stated that after detailed scrutiny, review and deliberation by the EIA technical review committee, the EIA report was found to fulfil the requirements of Section 34A (2) of the Environment Quality Act 1974.

Announcing this today, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the Penang government considers the approval a major milestone, as the project can now move forward.

“It is indeed a momentous occasion for the state in its vision to address (heavy) traffic conditions in Penang… via initiatives to improve the transportation infrastructure,” he told a press conference at his office in Komtar, here.

The PIL 1 has met with widespread opposition from environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Chow said that from this point onwards, other necessary approvals will be sought from various government agencies in order to commence construction of the PIL 1 highway.

The tender for PIL 1 is expected to be called early next year and construction is likely to take six years to complete.

“It is the state’s commitment to ensure that the project will be implemented by adhering to stringent DOE guidelines with the competency, accountability and transparency (CAT) principles adopted at every level,” he added.

Asked on the significance of the EIA report, Chow said that it was conducted to ensure that steps are taken to control traffic, earthworks and other related works to reduce negative impact on local communities during the course of construction.

“In this case, there is a need for an Environment Management Plan (EMP) to address all these conditions,” he explained.

Chow added that they will also identify land to be acquired, if needed.

On the payment mode, the chief minister said that the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project will be the financing model.

“However, while waiting for the land to be ready to generate revenue, there must be bridging finance. The project delivery partner, SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd, will come out with its portion of the bridging finance, while the state, its own portion.

“This is to enable the project to be kick-started before revenue is generated from the land reclamation.

“This will be an economic transformation plan for Penang, if needed in future, for the expansion of the existing Penang International Airport and the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone,” he stressed.

On the cost of the project which was recently reported to amount to RM9.6 billion, Chow said that the actual cost will only be known when the tender is called and the tenderers submit their bids.

“Nevertheless, we estimate it to be about RM7 billion.

“We invite people who want to compare, to do it (on an) apple to apple, orange to orange, or durian to durian (basis).

“For this particular project, it involves a six-lane highway with twin tunnels,” he added.

Chow said that the Penang government has been wooed and courted by interested parties to have a role and part in implementing the PTMP.

“This latest announcement will give a clearer picture that part of the PTMP will go ahead.

“I am sure that we will listen to proposals from interested parties after this, especially on the financial aspects,” he said.

Asked if Penang is certain to obtain the go-ahead for the PSR during the National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) this Thursday, he said today’s announcement was merely co-incidental.

The 19.5km PIL 1 highway alignment will consist of 7.6km of viaduct sections, four tunnel sections totalling 10.1km in length, and embankment sections 1.8km long.

The PIL 1 alignment will stretch from Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone area.

Six interchanges are proposed along the alignment to disperse traffic efficiently at strategic locations.