He said he was optimistic that the mega project, involving a 665km rail network, would be completed as scheduled.

“The contractor has shown good performance, some packages are ahead of schedule, some are on track,” he told reporters after presenting prizes for the Discover ECRL Paya Besar 2021 photography competition here today.

Shahar, who is Paya Besar MP, said that in Pahang, the project was now more than 28% complete, with the construction of major structures such as tunnels and bridges running smoothly.

He added that the construction of piles and pillars for the 3.88km-long Super Major Bridge, a major structure in the construction phase in Paya Besar, was also progressing well.

“Once completed, it will enable the ECRL to cross flood-risk areas, as well as Sungai Kuantan and Jalan Kuantan-Sungai Lembing,” he said, adding that seven ECRL stations would be built in Pahang – Cherating, Kuantan Port City, Kota SAS, Paya Besar, Maran, Temerloh and Bentong.

He said the ECRL project, which included passenger and cargo stations, was being carefully implemented to ensure environmental sustainability by using various techniques and technologies to minimise deforestation.