KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — The suspension of rail services since January was due to structural damage of the viaduct and cracked pier near the Bandaraya LRT station, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.

He said the ministry’s investigation showed that the damages to three viaduct structures and the pier were caused by “ground movement” believed to be from works from the construction of a 44-storey hotel, next to the station.

“As stated by the Land Public Transport Agency on January 27, the construction works started without any consultation with APAD under the Railway Regulations (Railway Protection Zone) 1998.

“Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is now in the process of appointing a contractor to carry out repair works that will begin in early March and are expected to take time up to seven months,” Loke told a news conference in the Parliament lobby.

He added that the seven-month period includes two months for temporary works to strengthen the structure and five months for comprehensive works.

“The remedial work will take time as the investigation shows, damage to affected structures pose a very serious safety risk.

“Prasarana will as best as possible take mitigation measures to reduce service disruptions to users.

“When the Putrajaya MRT Line service is fully opened, users of the Ampang/Sri Petaling Line will have an alternative to go to the city centre via interchange stations such as Chan Sow Lin, Titiwangsa and Sungai Besi.

“While rehabilitation works are carried out, alternative services that have been introduced since January 27, including intermediate bus services, will continue,” he said.

Asked if his ministry will take action against those who caused the damages that affected the rail system, Loke said the decision will be based on the final outcome of the investigation.

Following the train service disruption, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had on January 30, issued a stop-work order for the said construction site in Jalan Raja Laut with immediate effect.

National news agency Bernama reported KL Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah saying that the stop-work order was issued to “Tetuan Persekutuan Seruan Islam (Jam'iyah) Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan”, the owners of the proposed project, which involves the construction of the 44-storey Menara Soho building comprising 326 units with a basement on Lot PT 163.

He said the decision was made based on the outcome of a meeting held with representatives of the APAD, Prasarana, and several DBKL departments.