PUTRAJAYA: The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line, better known as MRT 2 is 70 per cent completed, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.
Lim said that the line would be fully completed by 2022 and operational by 2023.
“Phase One of MRT 2 that runs from Kwasa Damansara station to Kampung Batu Station will become operational in July 2021.
“Meanwhile Phase Two which continues from Kampung Batu station to Putrajaya Sentral station will become operational by January 2023.”
Earlier Lim had witnessed the signing of a supplemental agreement for the MRT2 known as the Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya line at his ministry.
The agreement was signed between MRT Corp Chief Executive Officer Abdul Yazid Kassim and MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) who was represented by its directors Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh and Datuk Ir. Paul Ha.
Also present was Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Lim said the signing of the Supplement Agreement marked the conclusion to the rationalisation process that contributed to the RM8.82 billion reduction in construction cost from RM39.35 billion to RM30.53 billion.
“The RM8.82 billion represents a saving of 22.4 per cent over the original cost of constructing MRT 2, as negotiated between the government and MMC-Gamuda in October 2018.
“With the agreement, MRT Corp and MMC Gamuda can fully focus on delivering the MRT 2 on time and within the cost, to provide Malaysians with a modern, efficient, reliable, safe and green mode of transportation.”
Among the factors behind the cost savings include conversion of the project structure - from a project delivery partner structure model to that of a turnkey model- resulting in savings of the Project Delivery Partner fee.
“Other factors included deferment and rationalisation of elevated works and underground structures. For example, by deferring the construction of Bandar Malaysia stations and by having a more modest architectural finishing.
“The rationalisation in the allocation of reimbursable, contingencies and provisional sums, as well as the scope rationalisation for an electrical and mechanical system, works also contributes to the cost-saving factors,” Lim said.
Despite the change in the project structure, the government has ensured that the original target for Bumiputera participation of 45 per cent of the total contract value, which would amount to RM13.7 billion, was maintained.
When asked if the Bandar Malaysia station would be built as per the original design, Lim said that would depend on volume and capacity.
“The plan for the Bandar Malaysia station is there but whether or not to continue with the original plan depends on the demand in that area.”
