Putrajaya Line

Initial planning and construction

The MRT2 project was initially planned to be between Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang, similar to LRT Shah Alam Line's alignment.^[10][11] However, by October 2014, it was revised to be from Sungai Buloh, Selayang to Pandan.^[12]

The project was officially approved by the Federal government in March 2015 and allocated RM23 billion in the 2015 Budget^[13][14] and construction was expected to begin by November 2015.^[15][16] However, construction was delayed due to adjustments to the alignment to extend the line to Putrajaya and to provide connectivity to the proposed High Speed Rail project.^[17] Construction officially begun in September 2016 with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future Putrajaya Sentral MRT station by former Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak.^[18][19]

On 10 October 2017 at around 5pm, an explosion occurred at the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station construction site in Bandar Malaysia. According to the police, it was believed that the explosion happened because of an old unexploded bomb from World War II based on their initial investigation. Three Bangladesh workers were seriously injured and two of them lost their legs while another suffered injuries on the hands and legs.^[20] One of the workers later succumbed to his injuries and died in the evening of the same day.^[21][22]

On 3 March 2018, A construction worker died while two others survived when a launching gantry at an MRT construction site in Jalan Jinjang (Work Package V203), collapsed at around 11:40pm.^[23]

Project re-tender and cost cutting

After the fall of BN led Federal Government in May 2018, the new PH led Federal government, citing the mounting national debt and concerns with the direct negotiation tender process, proposed various cost cutting measures to a lists of federal government projects, including the MRT2 project. In October 2018, then Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng announced the decision to change the project structure as well as terminate the contract from MMC-Gamuda and re-tender the unfinished underground portion of the project by an open tender process, due to the fact the Federal Government and MMC-Gamuda have failed to reach an agreement relating to the underground portion of the construction project. This decision had caused a lot of protests from MMC-Gamuda and workers due to the fact that some 20,000 workers tend to lose their job.^[24][25][26] Due to budget concerns, and a re-tender, construction costs proposed by MMC-Gamuda is about half what it was previously. The construction of the two Bandar Malaysia stations has also been cancelled, and the stations were listed as provisional. The cost for the construction of the underground portion is now RM13.11 billion. This brought the total cost of the project to RM30.53 billion, down from RM39.35 billion previously. This means MMC-Gamuda has now secured the contract for the underground section and is allowed to continue the construction.^[27][28]

Phase 1

By 3 April 2021, The Construction progress of Phase One section of the MRT Putrajaya Line (Kwasa Damansara – Kampung Batu) is at 97% and was planned to begin operations in August 2021.^[29] However, this was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 movement control order in Malaysia^[30] and that the line requires further testing. The MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 1 operations of the MRT Putrajaya Line was official launched by then Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on 16 June 2022 at 3pm,^[31] along with 1 month of free rides for all public transportation services under RapidKL including the MRT.^[32]

Phase 2

By 23 December 2022, the construction works of MRT Putrajaya Line Phase 2 were completed and the operational readiness phase was in progress. Because the tests could take longer than usual to pass, the opening date of Phase 2 was expected in March 2023, delayed two months from the original January 2023 deadline.^[33]

Phase 2 of the MRT Putrajaya Line was officially launched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Serdang Depot on 16 March 2023 at 3pm.^[34] Free rides for the MRT Putrajaya Line were also announced effective from 16 March 2023 until 31 March 2023.^[35]

The total cost of the project was ultimately put at RM56.93 billion.^[36]

Elevated station concepts

The proposed design for the elevated stations is based on the “Serambi” concept. This concept is focused on the inspiring interaction and communication at a foyer or entrance space of a house such as the entrance space at a traditional rumah kampung or rumah panjang. The design opted is a simple and timeless design, which is derived from various design concepts, including that of the Japanese zen concept. Other aspects include open space, natural lighting and ventilation, and natural visual effects via play of lighting and shadows.^[37]

Compared to the Kajang Line's elevated station design, the columns have been pushed to the sides of the station, giving the stations an open and airy feel.

Underground station concepts

Each of the underground stations will carry its own individual theme, similar to that of the Kajang Line stations. The proposed designs range from preserving the rustic, reflecting tidal rhythm, promoting well-being, vibrancy, pulse of life, discovering culture, molding forms, inspired by nature to streamlined flow.^[37]

Formation

The train consists of four cars, with car 1 facing towards Kwasa Damansara and car 2 facing towards Putrajaya Sentral.