The extension to the Light Rail Transit (LRT) by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd is delayed by nearly 20 percent, and will now be completed by the first quarter of 2016.

azlan In a written reply to the DAP’s Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, the Finance Ministry attributed the delay to ‘unprecedented difficulties’ during construction.

However, the delay will not result in additional costs to the current budget of RM8 billion, the ministry said.

This is the second announced delay in the project, which was initially due to be completed by the end of next year.

"As of Aug 30, 41.5 percent of the Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRT line extension was completed, compared to the scheduled 66.31 percent.

"This amounts to a 19.8 percent delay," the ministry said.

It added there is no cost increase despite the delay because the project was being done with "transparency and integrity".

The extensions involve the construction of 13 new stations for the Kelana Jaya line, and 11 new stations for the Ampang line.

The total length of the new extension will cover 35km.