Legislative Council Visits Kwu Tung Station Construction Site to Review Progress on East Rail Line Project

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visits construction site of MTR Kwu Tung Station on East Rail Line

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visited the construction site of MTR Kwu Tung Station on the East Rail Line today (November 26) to learn about the latest progress of the project.

At the Kwu Tung Station project site, Members received a briefing from representatives of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) on the project's engineering features and the construction progress of the station concourse and other facilities. Members noted that Kwu Tung Station will be the first new station in Hong Kong to be built on top of an operating railway tunnel. It will be located between Lok Ma Chau and Sheung Shui stations of the East Rail Line, being a new public transport hub for the future Kwu Tung North New Development Area. The bulk excavation work at Kwu Tung Station was completed in September this year, using the "cut and cover" construction method to excavate and remove the soil covering the tunnel structure. A lateral support system was then installed to support the weight of soil on both sides, and groundwater control was being implemented to ensure the stability of the tunnel structure and maintain the daily operations of the East Rail Line.

Members then toured the construction site to understand how various smart devices and technologies such as the Common Data Environment were adopted for providing real-time updates on project planning and more effective monitoring of construction progress, aiming for completion of the entire project by 2027. During the visit, Members exchanged views with MTRCL and Government representatives on issues including the challenges of station construction, enhancing site safety, and ensuring the operations of the East Rail Line not to be affected.

Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Gary Zhang, and Subcommittee member Mr Yang Wing-kit; as well as non-Subcommittee members Dr Junius Ho, Ms Yung Hoi-yan and Mr Lau Kwok-fan.

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visits construction site of MTR Kwu Tung Station on East Rail Line Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visits construction site of MTR Kwu Tung Station on East Rail Line Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways visits construction site of MTR Kwu Tung Station on East Rail Line Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 25) detected a drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport. About 1.9 kilograms of suspected heroin, with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million, and one duty-not-paid cigarette were seized.

A 46-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. During customs clearance, Customs officer found the batch of suspected heroin concealed in a wooden box, and the duty-not-paid cigarette in his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (May 26).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases