By Yasmin Ramlan
SERENDAH, July 1 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) stations in Selangor are set to drive local economic growth beyond just serving as transit points, said Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak.
Speaking at the Serendah 2 tunnel breakthrough ceremony today, he said that among them is the Bandar Serendah station, which is set to become a modern gateway to the town and a logistics hub for the region.
“The station in Serendah is expected to become a modern gateway to the town, with the potential to transform the area into a strategic logistics hub and open up wide-ranging business and commercial opportunities,” he said in his speech at the ceremony.
The Bandar Serendah station, along with the Puncak Alam station, will accommodate both passengers and cargo, while three others — Gombak, Kapar, and Jalan Kastam (Port Klang) — will serve passengers only.
Darwis added that the construction of the Selangor portion of the ECRL project has reached 69.06 per cent, covering a 92km stretch of the overall alignment.
He also expressed his appreciation to the Selangor government, related agencies, and the local authorities for their unwavering support and close cooperation throughout the project's implementation in the state.
Darwis’ remarks today align with Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s statement last year on positioning the ECRL as a driver of regional growth, with stations like Serendah envisioned as modern gateways and logistics hubs.
Loke had said that the transit station in Serendah would encourage further economic activities in the area, including the import and export of goods.
Previously, state executive councillor for trade, investment, and mobility Ng Sze Han said that the industrial areas surrounding Serendah will continue to be developed to ensure various job opportunities for the youth.
The 665km ECRL will traverse the East Coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang before connecting to Selangor on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
It will significantly cut travel time, with the journey from Kota Bharu in Kelantan to the Gombak Integrated Terminal expected to take just four hours, compared to about seven hours by road.
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A view of the East Coast Rail Link project's Serendah 2 tunnel during its breakthrough ceremony in Serendah on July 1, 2025. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
