THE Penang government is still waiting for the Federal Government’s nod for the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Chow said the Bayan Lepas LRT project had not received the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA – Second Schedule) and Rail Scheme approvals from the Federal Government.
“The EIA report has been submitted to the Department of Environment (DoE) on May 31 last year (2017) for approval; while the Rail Scheme was submitted to the previous Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) on March 29, 2016.
A new Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) was set up following the dissolution of SPAD.
“APAD is now reviewing the Rail Scheme, and has proposed to the state to study the location of the proposed LRT depot.
“APAD proposed that the depot be located on an existing land on Penang island, as compared to an area on Penang island which will be reclaimed in the future.
“The Project Delivery Partner (PDP) is preparing the research proposal before resubmitting it to APAD by end of November this year,” he said, replying to the oral question from Opposition Leader Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Nor (BN-Sungai Dua) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
As for the Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) project, Chow said the EIA-Second Schedule report had been submitted to the DoE on May 7 this year.
“The DoE then instructed the state to hold a town hall session with the public; which was subsequently held on Sept 20 this year.
“The project consultant is now preparing the feedback based on the comments received from the public during the EIA public display period and the town hall session.
“The EIA report is scheduled to be re-submitted to the DoE by end of December this year,” Chow said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting