Kuala lumpur: 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 announced that the state government plans to apply for the amendment after the detailed design is finalized by early next year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state government has completed all necessary assessments and studies, including a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and the EIA. The SIA was conducted as part of the EIA process, with public engagement sessions held in 2016 before receiving approval from the relevant authorities in November 2017. These sessions, which included town hall meetings and public consultations, engaged residents from Batu Ferringhi, Tanjong Bungah, and Teluk Bahang, alongside representatives from non-governmental organizations and the tourism industry. The findings indicated that over two-thirds of respondents supported the implementation of the NCPR.
Zairil Khir Johari noted that with the decision to revise a portion of the NCPR alignment, a new EIA submission would be required for the coastal section. He emphasized that all due processes would be followed. Zairil described the NCPR as a crucial component of the Penang Transport Master Plan, providing an alternative access road to Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang and addressing longstanding traffic congestion on the existing two-lane single-carriageway. He reassured that the state government is committed to the project’s implementation and will ensure adherence to all processes, with mitigation measures in place to minimize inconveniences for affected residents.
Earlier, approximately 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. They sought to discuss issues related to the NCPR and urged the state government to hold an engagement or town hall session.
The NCPR project is part of a three-major-roads-and-tunnel package awarded in 2013. It spans a total of 10.61 kilometers, consisting of 8.41 kilometers of onshore route and a 2.2-kilometer coastal elevated stretch connecting Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang. Construction is expected to start in 2026 and conclude by 2031. Upon completion, travel time between Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang will be significantly reduced from 30 to 45 minutes during peak hours to just seven minutes.