On November 4th, the completion and connection ceremony for the Phase I civil engineering of CCCC Malaysia East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Project was grandly held at the 8th Project Department. This milestone marks the full connection of Sections A, B, and C1 (Kota Bharu Station to Gombak Station) in Phase I. It lays a crucial foundation for the project’s scheduled completion and opening.

Dato' Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, CEO of Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), led the Malaysian delegation. It included MRL Director Azlan Abdul Razak and Deputy Director Mohd Nizam Abdul Razak. On the Chinese side were Bai Yinzhan, Chairman of CHEC, and ECRL Project leaders Deng Bo (General Manager) and Ye Xiaoyang (Deputy General Manager). Representatives from both governments and enterprises also attended the ceremony.

Section C1B: The "Toughest Nut to Crack" in Phase I

The core control section completed this time is Section C1B. Stretching from Genting Tunnel’s exit to Gombak Station, it spans 9.6 kilometers. Undertaken by the 8th Project Department, the works cover subgrade construction, bridge erection, tunnel excavation, and station yard earth-rock works.
Section C1B is hailed as the "toughest nut to crack" in ECRL Phase I. It faced five major challenges: the shortest construction period, most complex bridge technology, greatest environmental protection pressure, most difficult land acquisition and resettlement, and most densely populated construction area.
Key projects like Bridge 28 and Bridge 30 added to the difficulty. They encountered complex geological conditions, limited construction space, and cumbersome approval procedures.

Project Team Overcomes Challenges with Professionalism

Faced with arduous trials, the ECRL Project team rose to the occasion. Guided by the spirit of "forging ahead despite difficulties and striving for excellence," they adopted scientific construction planning. The team efficiently integrated technical, human, and equipment resources, while strictly adhering to safety and quality standards. These efforts helped overcome numerous obstacles and achieve construction goals, opening up the critical "throat passage" of the project route.
Leaders Highlight Cooperation and Milestone Significance
In his speech, Bai Yinzhan emphasized that Section C1B’s smooth completion is another key milestone for ECRL. It solidifies the foundation for Phase I’s on-schedule opening. He praised the project team for their pursuit of excellence and professional competence.
Bai noted that the achievement is not only a major breakthrough in engineering technology. It also reflects deepened China-Malaysia cooperation, embodying the joint commitment of ECRL Project Management Department and MRL to build a high-quality project.

Dato' Seri Darwis Abdul Razak expressed high recognition for the construction results. He presented a certificate of honor to the 8th Project Department, commending its perseverance in overcoming challenges. He also gave a commemorative photo to Bai Yinzhan, and the two took a group photo—symbolizing the profound friendship forged through long-term cooperation.

Laying the Groundwork for Subsequent Construction and China-Malaysia Cooperation

The full connection of Section C1B has unblocked ECRL’s critical "throat passage." It creates favorable conditions for subsequent track laying, electrification construction, and integrated commissioning. More importantly, it lays a solid foundation for Phase I’s completion and opening.
Looking ahead, the project team will continue to uphold high standards and strict requirements. They will steadily advance various construction tasks, contributing to the success of China-Malaysia infrastructure cooperation.