THE Penang government has given the green light to Consortium Zenith Construction to conduct a feasibility study as the company seeks to restructure its plan for the proposed undersea tunnel project linking Penang Island to Butterworth in Seberang Perai, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
When asked by reporters about the study’s timeline after presenting cheques to mission school representatives at Komtar today, Chow expressed hope that it would be completed within a few months.
“From time to time, they will update the state government. However, the project will still take a long time, as it involves multiple stakeholders,” he explained.
Housing and Local Government Minister Ng Kor Ming previously stated that the proposed project overlaps with the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) expansion and requires input from various stakeholders, particularly the Penang Port Commission. He also suggested that the project should undergo review by the National Physical Planning Council (NPPC).
On a separate matter, Chow said the Penang government has not been consulted on the potential introduction of congestion charges in George Town, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Baru.
During the Minister’s Question Time at Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the Federal government is studying the mechanism and assessing the potential reduction in traffic volume if such a charge is implemented.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alissala Thian