An alternative to the postponed Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project at a fraction of the price has been proposed to the Council of Eminent Persons, The Star reported today.

Quoting sources, the report said the proposal to have a railway link to Singapore by upgrading the existing double-track infrastructure of Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) would only cost the government RM20 billion – much lower than the estimated RM60 billion to RM70 billion cost of the HSR.

The new proposal would also save the government from paying the RM500 million penalty for scrapping HSR, as it will not involve renegotiation with Singapore.

According to the report, the alternative plan will see travelling time to Singapore increased to 130 minutes from the HSR's 90 minutes.

However, the plan would require third parties to operate KTM rail lines.

“The third parties would be prepared to invest in better locomotives and run operations on a commercial basis.

“Travel time can potentially be reduced,” a consultant was reported saying.

“Cost will be shaved by more than RM50 billion, which is 70 percent lower compared with (building) the HSR. This does not include land acquisition cost and possible cost overruns incurred by the HSR project.

“The upgrading of the existing railway tracks would involve minimal land acquisition, minimal disruption to the existing system and complement the entire national railway network.

“It would not lead to a duplication of railway lines."

'Cheaper than ERL extension'

According to sources, the plan to upgrade the existing railway tracks would be cheaper compared to suggestions to extend the Express Rail Link (ERL) from the KL International Airport (KLIA) to Singapore, which could come up to RM30 billion.

“The suggested ERL extension plan would involve a completely new alignment from KLIA, and there is not much of a difference in travelling time, compared with the plan to upgrade the existing infrastructure,” a source said.

Soon after assuming office, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the HSR project inked by the previous BN administration would be scrapped.

He has since clarified that the project has instead been postponed, as it is too expensive, too short and unaffordable for Malaysia in the near term.