Jakarta, Jubi/Antara – The Indonesian government is planning to build railways in four islands within next five years, an official said. The project is estimated to cost about 105.6 trillion rupiahs, 10.33 trillion of which has been allocated for Trans Papua Railway.
The government’s plan was included in the Railways Strategic Plan 2015-2019, which compiled by Directorate of Railway at the Transportation Ministry.
“Train is a cheap, safe and eco-friendly mode of transportation. It should not be developed only in Java Island but also in other islands in Indonesia,” Director General of Railways of Transportation Ministry Hermanto Dwiatmoko said at his office this week.
He further said currently the railways are only provided for Java and Sumatra Islands while half of those railways are not being operated. Within five years, he further said, his office will accelerate the development of railways in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua.
In Sumatra Island, the government will accelerate the railway construction to connect the North Sumatra, West Sumatra and South Sumatra and to continue the railway construction in Aceh, in particularly Lhokseumawe – Bireun route. To materialize the planning, the Directorate of Railway will revitalize the former line and build a new line of 1,399 km as well as double line of 80 km.
Meanwhile in Sulawesi, the government will accelerate the railway construction of trans Sulawesi by developing new railway of 1,772 km at South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Gorontalo and North Sulawesi.
Further in Kalimantan Island, the government is also planning to build a trans Kalimantan railway of 2,248 km to connect East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Central as well as West Kalimantan.
At last, the government will also accelerate the trans Papua railway construction by growing new railway of 390 km at West Papua Province.
“The railways development at Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua Islands which expected to be completed within next five years needs support from all related stakeholders at national and regional levels,” said Hermanto.
Here is the detail of the Acceleration Railway Construction Budget 2005 – 2019 for outside Java Island:
Trans Sumatra Railway : Rp 41.12 trillion.
Trans Sulawesi Railway : Rp 31.25 trillion.
Trans Kalimantan Railway: Rp 22.9 trillion.
Trans Papua Railway: Rp 10,33 trillion.
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