Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Our grand KTM Station Batu Gajah...

near the KTM Complex which houses its Workshop (moved from Sentul, Kuala Lumpur) and apparently a Railway College too, but 2 km from the main road, Jalan Tualang. In other words, away from most train travellers... is it meant to serve KTM staff or customers?


Flashback to more than 5 years ago:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=149824&page=2

Minister Officiates The Ground Breaking Of Batu Gajah’s New Railway Station - 18th March 2004

The Minister of Transport Dato’ Sri Chan Kong Choy officiated Batu Gajah’s new railway station at a ground breaking ceremony at Kampung Pisang Batu Gajah, Perak.

In his speech he said the KTM Berhad's Central Workshop and Railway Training Centre would be set up there to help boost Batu Gajah town as the hub for major railway-based activities in the country.

Two complexes, would be developed on the 160-hectare site and are expected to be completed in 2008 at a total cost of about RM400 million. They would have a combined workforce of 500.

The first complex, i.e the central workshop, would replace those found in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. It is a part of the new Rail Infrastructure Development Project, and would undertake major maintenance and overhaul on KTM's rolling stock.

Another important complex would be the new railway-training centre, which would accommodate the growing demand for expertise in the railway sector and to enhance manpower skills.

The project is one of the 12 under the electrified double-tracking project connecting Rawang and Ipoh. The others are in Serendah, Rasa, Batang Kali, Kuala Kubu Baru, Tanjung Malim, Behrang, Slim River, Sungkai, Tapah Road, Kampar and Ipoh.

Dato’ Sri Chan added that the proposed training centre could also play the role of "centre of excellence" that could benefit other railway authorities in Southeast Asia.

The Railway Infrastructure Development Project as a whole would also act as a catalyst for downstream activities in the area. This will create the much needed employment opportunities and raise the quality of life of the people of Perak, and Batu Gajah.

Also present at the function were Barisan Nasional candidate for Batu Gajah Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zaharah Shaari, KTMB chairman Tan Sri Thong Yaw Hong and KTMB managing director Encik Mohd Salleh Abdullah.

DRB-HICOM Berhad is the main contractor for Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) electrified double-tracking project.

2 comments:

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  2. I wish I know. But from what I observed, there was lack of demand which was why no taxis could be seen waiting for the train's arrival when my friends came in late December 2009.

    But I noticed there was a bus stand erected and I would expect bus service can be expected. Most people would arrange for their own transport because of the lack of public services.

    Please check with KTM for further details.

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