NEW EIA REQUIRED FOR NCPR PROJECT AFTER REVISION TO PORTION OF ALIGNMENT - EXCO

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- The Penang government has confirmed that a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required for the North Coastal Paired Road (NCPR) project following its decision to revise a portion of the highway’s coastal alignment.

State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the state government will apply for the amendment after the detailed design is finalised by early next year.

“The state government has undergone all required assessments and studies, including a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and the EIA, where the SIA was conducted as part of the EIA process with public engagement sessions held in 2016, prior to approval from the relevant authorities in November 2017.

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“These sessions, including town hall meetings and public consultations, involved residents from Batu Ferringhi, Tanjong Bungah, Teluk Bahang, as well as representatives from non-governmental organisations and the tourism industry, with the findings indicating that more than two-thirds of respondents supported the implementation of the NCPR,” he told a press conference at the Penang State Legislative Assembly building here today.

However, he noted that since the state government has decided to revise a portion of the NCPR alignment, a new EIA submission will be required for the new coastal section, with all due processes to be adhered to. 

Zairil described the NCPR as an important component of the Penang Transport Master Plan, providing an alternative access road to Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, besides addressing the longstanding traffic congestion that has plagued the existing two-lane single-carriageway.

He said the state government is committed to implementing the project and will always ensure that all due processes are adhered to, while all mitigation measures to alleviate inconveniences to affected residents will also be undertaken.

Earlier, about 20 members of the Tanjung Bungah Residents’ Association gathered in front of the Penang State Legislative Assembly building to deliver a letter requesting a meeting with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to discuss various issues related to the NCPR, urging the state government to hold an engagement or a town hall session.

The NCPR project is part of the three-major-roads-and-tunnel package awarded in 2013. The project spans a total of 10.61 kilometres (km), comprising 8.41km of onshore route and a 2.2km coastal elevated stretch connecting Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2031. Upon completion, travel time between Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang will be reduced from 30 to 45 minutes during peak hours to just seven minutes.

-- BERNAMA