The Malaysian government has entrusted a $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) contract for electrification and doubling of the Seremban-Gemas line in Malaysia to Ircon International Ltd, a Central PSU under the railway ministry. The contract will be completed within four years. Involving construction of 34 river bridges, 107 small bridges and a 8-km tunnel, among others, the first phase of the contract will be completed by July 2010. This would be Ircon's thirteenth railway contract in Malaysia.
India's presence in Malaysian railway dates back 1988 with Ircon executing the rehabilitation of railway track from Paloh to Singapore and Slim River to Seremban. Since then, Ircon has successfully completed and commissioned 11 major railway projects, which included approximately 441 km of track rehabilitation and construction of 200 km of new track. Besides this, Ircon has a contract for leasing of locomotives to Malaysian Railways for the past few years which is being extended on yearly basis, an Indian government statement said.
Ircon also has a contract for leasing of locomotives to Malaysian Railways for the past few years, which is being extended on yearly basis.