The MRT 3, MRT Line 3 or MRT Circle Line is a proposed thirteenth rail transit line, the fifth fully automated and driverless rail system in Klang Valley area. If completed, this line would form the loop line of the Greater KL/Klang Valley Integrated Transit System. The line is expected to be numbered 13 and coloured grey on transit map. The director of this project is the former chief executive officer of Rapid Rail, Dato' Ir. Zohari Sulaiman.[6]
It is one of three planned rail lines under Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Project by MRT Corp. Announcement of alignment and station locations was expected during the second quarter of 2011. The MRT Circle Line is expected to cover the hotspots surrounding the Bandar Malaysia, Ampang, KL Ecocity, Bukit Kiara and Sentul. Interest in building the line resurfaced in early 2015,[7] but the project was then shelved by Prime MinisterMahathir Mohamad in May 2018[8][9].
Chronology
12 August 2016 - MRT Corp announced that it is expected to submit the study on the MRT Line 3 to the government by year-end.[10]
6 September 2017 - Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai indicated that plans are being drawn up to fast-track the construction of MRT 3 for completion before 2027.[11]
27 October 2017 - During Budget 2018 announced on 27 Oct 2017, Prime Minister Najib Razak indicated that plans are being drawn up to fast-track the construction of MRT 3 for completion before 2025.
3 January 2018 - The former CEO of Rapid Rail, Dato' Ir. Zohari Sulaiman, is appointed by MRTCorp to be the project director of this project.[6]
30 May 2018 - Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced that the government would scrap the MRT 3 rail transit project.[1][9]
Comments from the MRTCorp CEO
On 1 June 2018 (2 days after the project has been shelved by the Prime Minister), Dato' Sri Shahril Mokhtar who is the Chief Executive Officer of MRT Corp said that the cancellation of the project is not a mistake but it still needs to be done in the future.
"We abide by the government’s decision (to discontinue the project) but we also acknowledge that the MRT line 3 is critical to close all the loop. We hope that one day in the future, once the government’s fiscal position gets better, the government will consider this.", he added.[12]
