Cost can reach up to RM12.5 mln to build 1km of tarred road in Sarawak - Asst Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The cost to build one kilometre of tarred road in Sarawak can reach up to RM12.5 million, said state Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Ports Development, Datuk Julaihi Narawi.

Replying to a question from Abdul Yakub Arbi (GPS-Balingian) during the question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today, he said that if it was peat soil, the cost could range from RM5.7 million to RM12.5 million per kilometre depending on the specifications.

"As for hilly or mountainous terrain, the estimate for a kilometre is RM6.3 million to RM10.7 million, depending on the standard required," he said.

For flat terrain, he said the range was from RM4.7 million to RM10.4 million depending on requirements.

He said the state government among others took into consideration the need to connect more that 6,000 settlements dispersed state-wide in planning construction of roads, apart from the potential to open new settlements for the benefit of the people.

-- BERNAMA