The northern area of Selangor, especially Batang Kali, will become a hub for the railway transport and logistics industry with the East Coast Rail Link Project (ECRL) route.
Dato ‘Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the construction of the ECRL through the northern line made the process of shipping containers to Port Klang easier. “Previously, from the north they had to go through Kuala Lumpur and then
only to Port Klang. With the ECRL in place, the delivery of these goods is via the Serendah Bypass which forms part of the northern alignment.
“With this road, I believe not only railways but logistics and delivery services companies will grow, thus making Batang Kali an important hub for the railway industry,” he said.
According to the Menteri Besar, the State had received proposals for tourism development along the route to Genting Highland, Pahang. Adding that this will be good for the economy there but the plans will be scrutinized, especially since it will involve environmental aspects. The requests came about as much of the land is owned by companies and individuals who are planning to make it a tourist area.
This comes as Selangor delayed the approval of the route from the Federal Government until all realignment was met based on the State Exco scrutiny. This was then accepted in December when Amirudin agreed on the federal government’s proposal regarding the route of the ECRL project through the northern alignment.
In addition, the Selangor Menteri Besar also hoped that the project would take into account the impact on the environment such as the water catchment area near the Batu Dam and other social impacts such as the settlement of traditional villages and Orang Asli.
