Why was the Gombak station removed from the ECRL?

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The Gombak station was omitted from the revised East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project as part of cost-reduction measures.

The current iteration of the ECRL deal, as announced by the Prime Minister's Office, sees the project resuming at RM44 billion, a significant reduction from the original RM65.5 billion. This revised plan features a new alignment that is 40km shorter, with the cost per kilometre reduced from RM98 million to RM68 million. The omission of the Gombak station, which was a central feature of the project during the Barisan Nasional administration, is a key element in achieving these cost savings.
Cost-Saving Measures Led to Omission

The previous plan, under the Barisan Nasional government, included a costly tunnel route through the Titiwangsa Range to Bentong and Gombak. Najib Razak stated that this section, involving extensive tunneling and bridges, was the most expensive part of the project, estimated to cost RM10 billion and span 18km. The Pakatan Harapan government's decision to remove tunnels and bridges, including this longest tunnel, is cited as a primary reason for lowering the overall project cost.
Revised Alignment Affects Connectivity for Kuala Lumpur Residents

Under the revised route, the ECRL will commence in Kota Baru and traverse through Mentakab, Jelebu, Kuala Kelawang, Bangi/Kajang, Putrajaya, before terminating at Port Klang. This new alignment means that residents in Kuala Lumpur will need to travel south to stations in Putrajaya or Bangi to access the ECRL. This deviates from the original plan where the Gombak station was intended to serve as a direct gateway for those in the capital.
Najib Razak Argues Original Route Was More Efficient

Najib Razak has contended that the removal of tunnels and bridges, including the significant tunnel through the Titiwangsa Range to Gombak, while lowering costs, compromises the project's original objective of providing shorter travel times. He suggested that the revised route would extend journey durations, potentially making a trip that previously took around four hours last over five hours, thereby diminishing the convenience for commuters travelling between the East Coast and the capital.

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Why was the Gombak station removed from the ECRL?

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