CoI into Construction Works at and near Hung Hom Station Extension under Shatin to Central Link Project to submit its final report by March 31, 2020
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The Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project will submit a final report on its findings and recommendations to the Chief Executive on or before March 31, 2020, upon approval of a further extension of time by the Chief Executive in Council today (September 10).
On February 19, 2019, the Chief Executive in Council expanded the terms of reference of the Commission to inquire also into the problems concerning the construction works at the North Approach Tunnels, the South Approach Tunnels and the Hung Hom Stabling Sidings under the Shatin to Central Link Project, and extended the date of submission of the Commission's final report to August 30, 2019. Subsequently, having regard to the work progress and work plan at the time, the Commission requested an extension of time to submit its final report to the Chief Executive by November 29, 2019, which was approved by the Chief Executive in Council on July 2, 2019.
Since then, there have been developments that have impacted the progress of the inquiry. The "Final Report on Holistic Assessment Strategy for the Hung Hom Station Extension" and the "Final Verification Study Report on As-Constructed Conditions of the North Approach Tunnels, South Approach Tunnels and Hung Hom Stabling Sidings", produced by the MTR Corporation Limited and accepted by the Government, have raised new and important issues that have to be addressed. Due also to the availability issues of various parties involved in the inquiry which caused difficulties to the scheduling of further hearings, the Commission has requested a further extension of time to submit its final report to the Chief Executive by March 31, 2020.
The Commission plans to resume substantive hearing on September 23, 2019, and finish all expert evidence and, if necessary, further factual evidence as well as all closing submissions by mid-February 2020.
Ends/Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:10
Issued at HKT 16:10
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