The Gemas-Johor Baru (JB) electrified double-tracking project will be awarded to China’s national train operator China Railway, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said.

“We are committed and hope this can speed up the project.

“Once the project is completed by 2020, it will complete the whole electrified double-tracking rail network to Padang Besar,” he said at the launch of the China High-Speed Railway Exhibition today.

Liow said currently, the country’s rail network covered 1,641.4km, of which 46 percent is made up of an electrified double-tracking line.

The distance will be extended up to 58 percent upon the completion of the Gemas-JB electrified double-tracking project.

The installation of the Gemas-JB electrified double-tracking project, starting next year, is expected to cost RM7.13 billion.

The 197km track provides capacity for trains to hit 160kph, with an operating speed limit of 140kph.

- Bernama