ECRL Key Driver Of Terengganu’s Logistics Transformation - Exco

KUALA TERENGGANU, April 22 (Bernama) -- The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Terengganu, now about 97 per cent complete, is seen as a key driver of change in the state’s logistics landscape, positioning Terengganu as a strategic East Coast hub.

State Infrastructure, Utilities and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Hanafiah Mat said the project is expected to bring economic spill‑over benefits to the people in Terengganu, especially through Transit‑Oriented Development (TOD) at six main stations in the state.

“TOD, seen as a new economic growth hub, will create opportunities for commercial development, businesses, investment and new jobs for the people,” he said at the winding-up session at the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Iman here today.

Hanafiah said the state government will review several aspects at ECRL stations, including access roads, traffic management, public parking, lighting and last‑mile connectivity, to ensure benefits are felt widely.

In a separate development, Hanafiah said repair and construction work on the Jalan Aring 8‑Kenyir‑Kuala Jeneris bridge at Tasik Kenyir near Hulu Terengganu began on Jan 5 and is expected to be completed by November next year.

He said the contractor is currently carrying out site preparation and clearing, as well as upgrading the temporary detour road for machinery access.

“As of March 21, 2026, work on site has reached 5.52 per cent completion, compared with a scheduled progress of 4.34 per cent, putting the project seven days ahead of schedule,” he said.

The road linking Tasik Kenyir and Felda Aring in Gua Musang, Kelantan, has remained fully closed since serious landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains in November 2024.

Meanwhile, State Agriculture, Agro‑based Industry, Food Security and Commodities Committee chairman, Datuk Dr Azman Ibrahim, said the Terengganu state government is identifying potential investors to develop a one‑stop centre for an agro‑food hub for collection, processing and export‑oriented distribution ahead of the ECRL’s launch in January 2027.

He said the main components include a livestock transit and quarantine centre, a farm‑produce collection and packing centre, cold‑storage warehouses and storage for agricultural inputs.

“The state government has identified suitable land at Teluk Kalong, Kemaman, to be offered to interested investors for this purpose,” he said at the winding-up session.

The Terengganu State Legislative Assembly sitting resumes tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA