(Left) Wong (centre) flanked by Ashwin (on his right) and Sundarajoo at the press conference to announce the start of IndiGo Airlines’ daily departures from Penang International Airport.
NINE of the 21 stations of the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will offer park-and-ride facilities with 1,100 parking bays.
Penang transport and infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the parking bays would be spread across nine key stations – Permatang Damar Laut, Jalan Tengah, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Dua, Jalan Universiti, Gelugor, Sungai Pinang, Bandar Sri Pinang on the island, and Penang Sentral on the mainland.
He said all of the planned stations would be elevated, with the proposed alignment starting from Silicon Island and heading north to Permatang Damar Laut, Penang International Airport, Sungai Tiram, South Free Industrial Zone, Free Industrial Zone, Jalan Tengah, SPICE, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong, Sungai Dua, Batu Uban, Jalan Universiti, Gelugor, Penang Waterfront, East Jelutong, Sungai Pinang, Bandar Sri Pinang, Macallum Street and Komtar.
Artist impression of Penang LRT Mutiara Line.
He added that the line would then connect to Penang Sentral on the mainland via a bridge from the Macallum Street station.
“The project, featuring 20 stations on the island and one on the mainland, will be developed by MRT Corporation,” said Zairil, who was responding to Heng Lee Lee’s (PH-Berapit) question on the number of LRT stations and parking bays available for the project.
Zairil said while the construction of the LRT project would inevitably lead to congestion in some areas, a comprehensive traffic management plan had been put in place to minimise disruptions.
“Much of the construction will be elevated.
“We will ensure that at least two lanes remain operational, though we acknowledge there will be some challenges along the way,” he said during the Penang State Assembly sitting at the State Legislative Assembly building in George Town. Earlier, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the project was expected to kick off early next year.
He had said that discussions were being held with the main contractor as there were several matters which had to be finalised.
Meanwhile, Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said starting Dec 21, IndiGo Airlines would operate daily flights (two departures each day), between Chennai, India, and Penang International Airport.
“With the launch of these direct flights, I am confident India will soon become one of the top 10 destinations for travellers to Penang.
“To capitalise on this new route, the state government will organise a series of promotional activities and roadshows in Chennai.
“These efforts aim to highlight Penang’s unique appeal as a world-class destination while enhancing Indian travellers’ awareness of the state’s diverse tourism offerings.
“Penang is renowned for its culinary scene, heritage sites, natural landscapes, beaches and well-established infrastructure for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions,” he said.
Wong said Penang now has 34 international direct flight routes operated by various airlines.
It connects 18 cities worldwide, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok and Taipei.
“With the launch of the upcoming Indigo Airlines’ direct route to Chennai, Penang’s connectivity will expand to 35 routes, covering 19 cities,” he said.
Also present were Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekaran and state housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu.
