KOTA BARU: The construction of the Kota Baru Integrated Bus Station Terminal, also known as KB Sentral, valued at RM64 million, is expected to begin early next year.
Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the project is set to be completed in 2027, alongside the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project.
He added that the state government is in the process of finalising the project papers for the KB Sentral construction.
"If all goes well, the KB Sentral project will kick off next year," he said.
He added the state government hopes that the bus terminal project would benefit not only Kelantanese but also outsiders.
It is learned that Perak Transit Bhd (KL:PTRANS), a developer and operator of integrated public transportation terminals (IPTT), recently won the contract for the project for an undisclosed amount.
The contract was awarded by the Kelantan state secretary's office following an Oct 2 state council meeting, as stated in the company's filing with Bursa Malaysia.
Perak Transit, which also operates Terminal Meru Raya and Kampar Putra Sentral in Perak, announced that China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) will serve as the project's main contractor.
Additional development conditions will be provided by state authorities in due course.
State local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah was quoted in March as saying that KB Sentral is expected to be completed by 2027, with the state government having inked an agreement with a company to undertake the project.
In addition to KB Sentral, he also announced that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is expected to be fully operational by the same year.
In July 2022, the state government confirmed that KB Sentral, intended to replace the temporary bus terminal in Lembah Sireh, which has been operational for over 12 years, would be completed by the end of 2025.