Deep within Malaysia’s Titiwangsa mountain range, construction crews are making steady progress on what will be Southeast Asia’s longest railway tunnel. Known as the Genting tunnel, this 16.39-kilometer engineering feat forms a crucial part of Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
This major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity between the country's east and west coasts. The tunnel will connect Bukit Tinggi in the state of Pahang to Gombak in Selangor, significantly cutting travel time between the East Coast states and the Klang Valley.
A Statement from Malaysia
Although it does not rival the 53.85-kilometer Seikan Tunnel in Japan—Asia’s longest and deepest rail tunnel—the Genting tunnel marks a major milestone for Malaysia. Its scale, complexity, and strategic importance place Malaysia firmly on the map as an emerging force in regional infrastructure development.
The tunnel is being built using the largest and most sophisticated Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) ever deployed in the country. These massive machines are designed to bore through the tough terrain of the Titiwangsa range, underscoring the technical prowess behind the project.
The Genting tunnel and the broader ECRL project are not only engineering triumphs but also significant symbols of Malaysia’s evolving transport landscape. The 665-kilometer ECRL will eventually connect ports and cities across the peninsula, linking the East Coast states with key economic zones in the West, including Port Klang.
This new rail corridor is expected to reshape logistics, enhance passenger mobility, and reduce traffic congestion by diverting freight from roads to rail.
Not Without Challenges
However, the journey to realization has not been without political hurdles. The ECRL project was initially suspended in 2018 following a change in Malaysia’s government.
Concerns over cost and transparency led to a temporary halt and renegotiation. In 2019, the project resumed with a scaled-down scope and a revised budget of RM44 billion, down from the original RM65.5 billion. In 2021, the route reverted to its original alignment—referred to as ECRL 3.0—with a revised cost of RM50 billion.
Despite the changes, the project has remained a priority for the Malaysian government, reflecting its strategic importance. In a recent development, authorities approved a double-track upgrade for the 25-kilometer section linking Jalan Kastam Station to Northport and Westport.
This upgrade will be implemented without increasing the overall project cost. The enhancement will allow Malaysia’s national rail operator KTMB and ECRL services to operate on separate tracks, thereby boosting freight capacity and improving efficiency across the network.
A Game Changer
With full operations scheduled to begin in January 2028, the ECRL—including the Genting tunnel—promises to be a game-changer for Malaysia’s transportation infrastructure. It will enhance inter-regional connectivity, streamline trade routes, and potentially stimulate economic growth by bridging the geographical and logistical divide between Malaysia’s eastern and western regions.
With this project, Malaysia keeps pushing as one of the recognizable powers in Southeast Asia, and even Asia. Let’s hope that they could overcome various challenges and hurdles and in 2028, the longest rail passage in Southeast Asia would be open for business.
