Lawmakers worried Pak Shek Kok station plans may be derailed

Ayra Wang

Lawmakers are concerned the construction of Pak Shek Kok station might be postponed as the government has yet to announce a clear development plan.

This came as the Transport and Logistics Bureau submitted a paper - set to be discussed at the Legislative Council's panel on transport on Friday - and said the government is assessing the project with MTR Corp.

"Preliminary results revealed that construction of the new railway station will be complicated and involve substantial supporting infrastructure," the bureau said.

It also said MTRC will carry out an in-depth study and enhance the project's cost-effectiveness.

"We are working towards promulgating the development proposal this year after considering the assessment and commence town planning and other statutory procedures in a timely manner after public consultation," the bureau added.

The government confirmed the construction of Pak Shek Kok station on the East Rail Line in the 2022 policy address, aiming to commission the station by 2033. It also plans to build around 10,000 public and private flats near the station.

However, lawmaker Gary Zhang Xinyu said the project may fail to achieve its target due to limited construction hours and sky-high costs.

Zhang told The Standard yesterday that the construction of Pak Shek Kok station will require huge work, such as demolishing the current sports center of the Education University of Hong Kong and building on existing rail tracks.

"We cannot suspend East Rail Line service so construction work can only be carried out during non-traffic hours after service ends at night," he said.

He said the project is "technically feasible" but the cost may be much higher than that of Hung Shui Kiu station, which is estimated to cost HK$6.4 billion.

Zhang urged the government to announce a clear and more cost-effective plan as soon as possible.

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun agreed that the project may be postponed as he described the construction of the station as "starting from scratch."

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com