Gemas-JB double track project 97% complete, achieves 28 million safe man-hours

• Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project is a 192-kilometre electrified train service project covering four major districts in Johor — Segamat, Kluang, Kulai and Johor Bahru, with a total cost of RM8.9 billion, as announced by the government in December 2016.

JOHOR BAHRU (June 27): The construction of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (Gemas-JB EDTP) has reached a 97% completion rate and saw the opening of the Segamat station to the public in May 2024.

According to the SIPP-YTL joint venture (JV), the local contractor responsible for developing the project, Gemas-JB EDTP also achieved 28 million safe man-hours, marking the pinnacle of rail construction safety in Malaysia.

“This record, recorded from September 2020 to May 2024, underscores the success of the Gemas-JB EDTP without any accidents. This milestone aligns with the safety targets set, of 28 million safe man-hours for the Gemas-JB EDTP,” it said in a statement on Thursday.

The JV’s executive director Yeoh Keong Yuan said the achievement is a significant milestone for the national rail construction industry, especially for all SIPP-YTL employees.

“This success is the result of continuous efforts by our health and safety team to ensure strict monitoring throughout the construction work. Safety is our top priority and we are highly committed to promoting a healthy and safe environment for everyone,” he said.

A ceremony was held to celebrate the 28 million safe man-hours achievement and was attended by, among others, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia director-general Mohd Hatta Zakaria, project director representative of the Gemas-JB team from the Ministry of Transport Malaysia Sukhaimi Marob, and chief operating officer of rail from the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) Ramesh Balakrishnan.

Mohd Hatta said the achievement manifested the commitment of every party involved in the project.

“I am aware that the SIPP-YTL has undertaken several initiatives to achieve this target, including the implementation of the YTL SSS Site Diary and Dashboard, to enhance safety inspections for this project. This proactive action sets a benchmark for best practices in the construction industry,” he said.

According to the Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence, Occupational Poisoning and Occupational Disease 2004 (Nadopod), safe working hours are defined as the total hours worked without accidents resulting in more than four days of absence, or other significant incidents such as severe injuries or fatalities.

Gemas-JB EDTP is a 192-kilometre electrified train service project covering four major districts in Johor — Segamat, Kluang, Kulai and JB, with a total cost of RM8.9 billion, as announced by the government in December 2016.

The entire project is expected to be completed by 2025, significantly boosting the local economy, especially for the community in Johor.

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