RAWANG: The ongoing rehabilitation work for Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM)'s Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) project is on track.

Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah revealed to reporters that the 42km rehabilitation work done between the Rawang-Salak Selatan and Sentul-Simpang Batu line is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

"Some of the works done includes the upgrading of KTM's 16 stations, the signalling and electrification system, and the installation of the tetra radio system for the overall KTM network except for Gemas-JB," he said after a site visit to check on the progress of the project.

He added that the rehabilitation work is very much needed to ensure smoother train commutes and alleviate problems such as delays and cancellations due to failure and derailment especially when most of the track is more than 20 years old.

Azharuddin mentioned that some RM1.4 billion was allocated for the repair and upgrading works that started in the third quarter of 2016.

Asked if the rehabilitation works would be completed on schedule, Azharuddin said it does not matter if the project encountered unexpected delays, adding that the quality of work is of the utmost importance.

"Having said that, the contractors appointed however, have assured the commission that they would be able to get the job done on time," he said.