Will cold-storage and cold-chain facilities be built beside ECRL stations?

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Cold Storage and Cold Chain Facilities Will Be Built Beside ECRL Stations

Yes, the development plan for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) includes the construction of cold storage and cold chain facilities adjacent to its stations. This initiative is crucial for maximising the economic benefits of the ECRL, particularly for the agricultural sector in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang. The focus is on leveraging the ECRL's freight capacity by creating a "floating refrigerator" to transport perishable goods efficiently.
Integrated Cold Chain Facilities for Perishable Goods

The strategy for the ECRL emphasizes the development of agrologistics hubs and cold storage facilities rather than solely focusing on passenger transport or tourism infrastructure. This approach is designed to address the spoilage of local agricultural products such as Kelantan's smoked fish, Terengganu's sea products, and Pahang's durian and pineapples, which are currently lost due to the tropical heat and inadequate supply chains. By situating cold chain facilities directly at each station, the aim is to preserve the quality of these goods.
Enhancing Agro-Processing and Freight Capacity

Beyond just storage, the plan advocates for the establishment of small-scale packing centres alongside the cold chain facilities. Furthermore, states are encouraged to zone land around key ECRL stations for light agro-processing. This integrated approach seeks to transform the ECRL into a vital component of a modernised, efficient cold logistics network, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of East Coast agricultural products in wider markets.
Strategic Importance of Freight Over Tourism

The narrative surrounding the ECRL's economic potential highlights freight as its primary asset, with tourism being a secondary consideration. The infrastructure development, therefore, prioritises the efficient movement of goods. Building extensive cold storage and packing capabilities at stations is a direct implementation of this freight-centric strategy, aiming to turn the train's capacity into a significant economic advantage for the region's agricultural output.

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Will cold-storage and cold-chain facilities be built beside ECRL stations?

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