Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today announced that the government has reopened access from the Padang Besar KTM railway station to the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at the Perlis town. Previously, a pedestrian bridge connecting the two was closed in September 2020 due to security reasons and travellers had to take a taxi ride to reach the ICQS Complex from the Padang Besar KTM station.
While the pedestrian bridge remains closed for the time being, the government is building a temporary fenced walkway for the ease of travellers. As reported by BERNAMA, the fenced walkway will be built through the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) and is expected to cost RM300,000.
Saifuddin clarified that RAC is now in the final stage of appointing a contractor for the project, which would take approximately 4 months to complete. The fenced walkway is a temporary measure while the government is constructing a new pedestrian bridge connecting the Padang Besar KTM station and the ICQS Complex which would cost RM3 million.
Saifuddin hoped that the temporary fenced walkway can facilitate the public and help revitalise the economy in Padang Besar. The Perlis town is the second busiest entry point in the north after Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah and tourists’ arrival has reached more than one million post-COVID-19 pandemic.
So, what do you guys think of the reopening of the access from Padang Besar KTM station to the ICQS Complex? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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