Indonesia Infrastructure Ambition Continues in Super-Priority Destinations

TheIndonesia.co - The Indonesian government continues to build and improve transportation infrastructure in five super-priority destinations as it prepares to welcome tourists post-pandemic.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said, as mandated by President Joko Widodo, the development continues to be hurried amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Once the situation returns to normal, Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang are expected to be immediately ready for incoming tourists.

“An accommodating transportation will provide ease for visitors in the five tourist destinations,” Sumadi said on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, as reported by Antara.

According to the Minister, for 2022, the government will allocate Rp442.7 billion or US$31.6 million (Rp14,000/US$) for the construction and development of necessary transportation-related infrastructures and facilities in the five locations. The number is lower compared to this year’s budget at Rp856.7 billion because a number of projects have been completed.

Indonesia aims to build connectivity and accessibility around the destinations through a number of initiatives, including increasing the airport’s terminal capacity, adding international and domestic flights, building infrastructure for trains, establishing seaports, rivers, and lakes, as well as providing road safety facilities.

In Lake Toba, North Sumatra, the government has built and enhanced Silangit and Sibisa Airports, upgraded the Araskabu-Siantar train route, and established public transportation system with seven routes and 15 buses.

For access around the Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java, the construction and development of Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), Ahmad Yani Airport, train access in YIA, and transportation system that involves 10 routes and 25 buses has started and continued to be developed.

In Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara, which recently hosted the final race of the World Superbike Championship, the government has been focusing to develop Lombok Airport and Gili Trawangan Port and build a transportation system with four routes and nine bus lines.

Concerning authorities are also building Komodo Airport, Wae Kelambu multipurpose dock, bottom-glass boat, and public transportation system in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, which will include four routes and nine buses.

Lastly, for Likupang in North Sulawesi, the government continues to develop Sam Ratulangi Airport, Likupang seaport, and a transportation system with three routes and four buses.