By P. Chandra Sagaran
The city of Ipoh also known as the “City That Tin Built” is set to become a modern transportation hub.
Ipoh Sentral is to be constructed behind the Ipoh Railway Station fondly known as the Taj Mahal of Ipoh.
The Perak State Government and Transport Ministry are embarking on the RM6.26 billion project to develop a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
The signing ceremony was held at the WEIL Hotel here.
It will transform into a vibrant, mixed use transit hub that integrates residential, commercial and public spaces and fosters sustainable development.
A Memorandum of Understanding of Agreement (MoA) was signed between Ipoh Sentral Sdn Bhd (ISSB) and Country Annexe Sdn Bhd (CASB).
The agreement was inked by MRCB Managing Director Datuk Imran Salim who represented CASB while ISSB was represented by it’s CEO Firdaus Effendy Mokhtar.
The ceremony was witnessed by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook.
The project is divided into two phases, with the first phase covering an area of 2.55 hectares and expected to be completed in 24 months.
It will include preserving heritage, cultural elements,recreational and educational institutions.
The second phase will cover 24.7 hectares which comprise construction of service apartments, office commercial places and hotels and community based areas.
Later at a press conference, Loke said “the existing places of worship in the area will not be affected, in fact a mosque will be constructed to symbolise harmony among the various religions.
“The ironic Ipoh Railway Station would be maintained,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saarani Mohamad was happy with the progress and would instruct the local council and related departments to speed up the approval and licensing approvals.
The collaborating parties in the project which is expected to be completed in 20 years are Ipoh Sentral Sdn Bhd( ISSB), a joint venture company established by Railway Assets Holding Sdn Bhd (RAHSB) and Silver Smart Sdn Bhd (SSSB) which is wholly owned by the Perak State Secretary Corporation (SSI) while RAHSB is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC).
CASB is a wholly owned subsidiary of MRCB.