Railway Revitalization Requires Rp19 Trillion
Wednesday, 10 September, 2008 | 12:21 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian government has agreed to revitalize railways in Sumatra, Java, and Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi) in 2008-2010.

It is predicted that this revitalization will require Rp19.365 trillion, however, the government has only Rp7.04 trillion available for this purpose.

“The Vice President has asked that these projects be offered to the private sector through open tender,” said Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal Tuesday (9/9) after attending a meeting about railway revitalization led by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

The meeting was also attended by State Minister for State Enterprises Sofyan Djalil, State Minister of National Development Planning / National Development Planning Board Chairman Paskah Suzetta, Industry Minister Fahmi Idris, Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, and West Java Deputy Governor Dede Jusuf.

Jusman explained that the government plans to develop 501 kilometers of railways out of the total 1,369 kilometers by 2010.

The government also plans to reactivate unused 57 kilometers of railway tracks out of the total 187 kilometers.

“The West Java government wishes to reactivate railways to the south of Sukabumi,” he said.

Furthermore, government plants to build new 116 of kilometer of new railways by 2010.

Jusman also mentioned some railway developments that have been initiated by the private sector.

These include railways in Tanjung Enim-Tarahan for coal (in cooperation between the state railway company and Bukit Asam), Jalan Simpang Tanjung Api-Api, Baturaja, Lahat-Kertapati, and a project in Bengkulu.

“We invite more private sector companies to participate,” he said.

KURNIASIH BUDI