Malaysia agrees to 14% increase in East Coast Rail Link project costs 6 April 2021 (Last Updated April 6th, 2021 11:18) Malaysia has reportedly accepted a nearly 14% increase in the estimated construction cost for the contentious East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. The estimated construction cost for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project was revised to $12.08bn from $10.63bn. Credit: anncapictures from Pixabay. Share Article Malaysia has reportedly accepted a nearly 14% increase in the estimated construction cost for the contentious East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project. According to a Reuters report, the project cost was revised to $12.08bn from the previously decided $10.63bn. The ECRL is a key railway project under China’s flagship Belt and Road initiative and slated to connect the eastern coast of Malaysia with the western part of the country.