Another MTR project hit by delays: Bureau
Work on extending the Kwun Tong Line 'considerably behind' schedule over the past six months - but estimated completion date is unchanged
A third railway project of the embattled MTR Corporation has been hit by delays but the rail operator says the Kwun Tong Line extension will still open next year as planned.
The Transport and Housing Bureau admitted yesterday that it had known for six months about delays to the 2.6km underground line extension that will provide a five-minute ride from Yau Ma Tei to Whampoa Garden via Ho Man Tin.
"Progress reports submitted by the MTR to the Highways Department over the past six months showed that certain works had been considerably behind schedule," the bureau said in a statement issued yesterday in response to media reports.
It said the agreement between the government and the MTR stipulated that it was possible for the latter to amend the completion timetable, "but thus far the MTR has made no amendment at all".
The MTR informed the government 10 days ago that it was "reassessing the completion date of the project", the bureau's statement said.
But an MTR spokeswoman said that the original completion estimate for the line extension remained unchanged.
She said some 60 per cent of the line had been completed by April.