Kota bharu: The soil treatment work for the Kota Bharu Integrated Bus Station Terminal (KB Sentral) project is now 21 days behind schedule, with actual progress at 40.07 per cent compared to 47.26 per cent according to schedule.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin stated that the delay was due to weather factors, including heavy rains that have continued every evening and night in recent days, causing water to stagnate at the project site. Additionally, there was a delay in the installation of prefabricated vertical drain (PVD), a vertical drainage method intended to speed up the drying process of damp construction site soil.

Despite the setback in the soil treatment work, it is anticipated that the work will be completed by May 17, 2027, which marks the end date of the contract period, Dr Izani noted. He provided this information in response to a question from Datuk Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim (BN-Galas) regarding the latest developments on the KB Sentral project during the State Legislative Assembly sitting at Kota Darulnaim Complex.

Furthermore, Izani mentioned that the construction of the terminal building is expected to commence as early as June 2027, following the completion of the soil treatment work. This development comes after the Kelantan government decided to take over the KB Sentral construction project. The decision was made after negotiations with Perak Transit failed to reach an agreement, as stated by Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan, who cited time constraints as a critical factor in the decision-making process.