MRT3 Final Approval

The Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) Circle Line project has received final approval from the Ministry of Transport, paving the way for the commencement of the land acquisition process, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. This milestone follows a comprehensive public inspection exercise conducted between September and December last year, during which over 45,000 written responses were submitted. An overwhelming 93.3% of the feedback received expressed strong support for the project.

MRT Corporation (MRT Corp) announced that the number of land lots to be acquired for the project has been significantly reduced from 1,012 to 690 — a reduction of more than 31%. This change comes after extensive consultation with residents, business groups, and local authorities. Adjustments were made to station and viaduct placements along the alignment to minimise disruption to affected communities and improve the overall rail system design.

The 51.6km MRT3 Circle Line will serve as the final piece in the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) network, forming an orbital route around Kuala Lumpur. It will feature 31 stations — 10 of which will be interchange stations — integrating with existing MRT, LRT, KTM, and Monorail lines. Of the total alignment, 40km will be elevated and 11km will be underground. The line is designed to support up to 25,000 passengers per hour per direction, with a full journey expected to take 73 minutes.

MRT Corp stated that land acquisition can now proceed and that the company will begin engaging with affected communities to provide updates on changes and improvements in their respective areas. The final railway scheme was developed in collaboration with agencies including the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, and the Public Works Department (JKR).

Originally shelved in 2018 as part of fiscal consolidation measures, the MRT3 project was revived in 2021 with a revised alignment and track configuration. MRT Corp has indicated that it is exploring alternative funding models, including public-private partnerships, in line with the government's current fiscal strategy under Budget 2025, which prioritises high-impact infrastructure projects that deliver economic and social value.