7-year hitch

TNP PHOTO: Desmond Ng

SEVEN years and counting.

That's how long this half of the $354-million Punggol LRT has been lying idle. The Punggol West Loop has yet to be opened despite its completion in 2004.

Except for a few stations such as Sumang and Soo Teck, which are near HDB blocks, the other stations are located in largely undeveloped areas.

National University of Singapore transport researcher Lee Der Horng said the situation may mean "that transportation infrastructure development and town development is not in sync, which should be the case."