KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 7 -- China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) has completed and handed over Phase 1 of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project to project owner Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), marking a key milestone ahead of the railway's scheduled commercial launch on December 12.

The 523km Phase 1 alignment stretches from Kota Bharu in Kelantan to Gombak in Selangor and comprises 16 stations, including passenger stations and combined passenger-freight terminals.

MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the completion of the Kota Bharu-Gombak rail network would strengthen connectivity between the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.

"Backed by a modern and state-of-the-art railway s...