Scheme for Smart and Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon gazetted
The Government published in the Gazette today (June 20) the scheme for the Smart and Green Mass Transit System in East Kowloon (SGMTS-EK) in accordance with the Railways Ordinance (Cap. 519).
The SGMTS-EK is about 7 kilometres long with nine stations. The termini will be connected to MTR Choi Hung Station and Yau Tong Station respectively, with alignment passing through Choi Wan, Shun Lee, Shun On, Sau Mau Ping, Po Tat, Ma Yau Tong and Lam Tin North, serving over 300 000 residents in Kwun Tong uphill areas.
A Government spokesman said, "The SGMTS-EK will provide convenient transport feeder services to the uphill areas of Kwun Tong, facilitating the public in gaining access to MTR Choi Hung Station and Yau Tong Station, improving the overall transportation and unleashing the development potential of East Kowloon. Depending on the system to be adopted eventually, the estimated journey time from Po Tat to Yau Tong or Choi Hung areas is about 10 to 15 minutes. Compared with road-based transport, it is expected that taking the SGMTS-EK in peak hours will save journey time by about half."
The Government has collected public views on the SGMTS-EK earlier from multiple channels, including consultation with the Kwun Tong District Council, Sai Kung District Council and Wong Tai Sin District Council, exchanging views with relevant Legislative Council Members, representatives from relevant rural committees and stakeholders, and organising various publicity activities. The construction of the proposed SGMTS-EK will commence soon after the authorisation of the scheme and is expected to be completed by 2033 or earlier.
Under the Railways Ordinance, members of the public may object to the scheme in relation to the SGMTS-EK from today until August 19, 2025. Additionally, any person who has a compensable interest can claim compensation under the provisions of the Ordinance.
The scheme and relevant plans are viewable on the Highways Department (HyD) website (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/our_projects/railway_projects/index.html). They are also available for public inspection during office hours at the Central & Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the Kwun Tong Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the Wong Tai Sin Home Affairs Enquiry Centre; the District Lands Office, Kowloon East; and the District Lands Office, Sai Kung. A copy of the scheme and the plans may be purchased from the HyD. For details, please call the HyD at 2762 3976.
CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness
The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully completed a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.
The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department (MD), the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Garrison) respectively.
Today's exercise simulated a helicopter crashing into the sea near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island. With the concerted efforts of helicopters and vessels dispatched by the Garrison, the GFS, the HKPF, and the FSD, all three people on board were rescued. The exercise lasted one hour, mobilising around 100 personnel from the participating units.
A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said, "In accordance with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, CAD regularly organises Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercises to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among relevant search and rescue units and promote technical exchanges. This is to ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of an emergency."
This Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise is divided into two parts: a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted today in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island; and a long-range search and rescue exercise to be conducted tomorrow (January 13) in the South China Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles south of Hong Kong. CAD, together with the GFS, the MD, the Garrison, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, will jointly deploy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to conduct the search and rescue tasks. The entire long-range exercise is expected to be completed in around three hours.
CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
