Putrajaya is scrutinising every proposal received to improve the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) and ensure the project benefits the rakyat, said the Finance Ministry (MOF).

In a parliamentary reply dated Nov 16, the ministry said the cost of ECRL will be maintained at RM55 billion for the time being.

"However, as a caring government which provides the best service for the people and to stimulate the development of the East Coast region, the government would always study the proposals and feedbacks it receives on the improvement of the ECRL project."

MOF said the government has received constructive views from the people, state governments, government agencies and various policymakers.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, Transport Ministry and the Land Public Transport Commission were among those to come out with their views, it added. 

"The public perception on the project was positive, as 95 percent of the respondents of the public roadshow supported the project," it said.

The ECRL public roadshow was conducted at 38 locations at Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor, from March 8 to June 7 this year.

"To ensure ECRL will benefit the people, the government will scrutinise and deliberate every proposal to upgrade the project in a professional manner before we inform the people," said the ministry.

The 688km rail project is owned by Malaysia Railway Link Sdn Bhd, a company under MOF Inc. The China Communications Construction Company Limited China (CCCC) was awarded the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contract. 

The first phase of ECRL, which involves 600.3km of rail connecting ITT Gombak to Tumpat, will cost about RM46 billion. 

The contract for the second phase, which involves 88km extension from Gombak to Port Klang, was inked on May 13 and will incur an additional cost of RM9 billion. 

Citing sources, The Edge reported last month that the additional costs will be for double tracking the 688km line, as well as for the acquisition of land along the route from Port Klang in Selangor, to Pengkalan Kubor in Kelantan.

The financial daily said the total price for the ECRL could rise to between RM60 billion and RM70 billion.

Last week, MOF confirmed that the rail project would only feature a single track arrangement.

This single track, however, will be laid on a "double track formation", according to the ministry's parliamentary written reply.