GEORGE TOWN: The state government has disclosed a summary of the 56 conditions required by Department of Environment (DoE), in relation to Penang's upcoming PIL 1 highway project connecting Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu expressway near the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone Phase IV.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the announcement was in response to various stakeholders' request that the conditions be made public.

"The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval letter was issued by DoE on April 10, 2019.

"There are 56 conditions given towards PIL 1.

"The conditions include compliance with earthworks control, control and monitoring of water quality, air, noise and vibration, waste management, risk assessment and control measures.

"The Environment Management Plan (EMP) needs to be prepared and approved by state EIA, before any work is carried out.

"All aspects of environmental mainstream tools has to be carried out.

"An environmental audit has to be carried out by a registered auditor throughout the project.

"An Environmental Quality Report has to be sent to the state EIA once every three months.

"A competent environmental officer has to be appointed and responsible towards the environmental management and mitigation.

"The approval of the EIA report is valid for two years from the date the letter was issued," said Chow during a press conference in Penang Hill on Tuesday (April 16).

He added that further details of the conditions received from DoE would be made public at the discretion of the state.

A day earlier (April 16), Chow announced that the DoE had approved the EIA report for the proposed PIL 1 to the state, via a letter dated April 10.

Last Monday (April 8), The Star broke the news in an exclusive report that construction on the RM9bil light rail transit (LRT) line and the RM9.6bil PIL 1 were scheduled to start in June next year.

Necessary approvals, said Chow, would be sought from various agencies to start the construction of PIL 1 highway, estimated to cost RM7bil, which is expected to be fully completed by June 2026.

The 19.5km-long PIL 1 highway alignment will comprise 7.6km of viaduct sections, four tunnel sections totalling 10.1km and embankment sections totalling 1.8km.