Alvin Lie Says Kertajati Airport Access Toll Road Is Not Always Crowded, Deputy Minister Of PUPR: It Will Stimulate West Java's Economic Growth

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) John Wempi Wetipo revealed that the presence of the West Java International Airport Access Toll Road (BIJB) Kertajati could develop a triangle of economic growth areas in West Java.

"This toll road will also support the development of the West Java economic growth triangle, namely Patimban Port in Subang Regency, Kertajati Airport in Majalengka Regency, and industrial areas in Bekasi, Karawang, and Purwakarta," said John Wempi in a written statement, quoted by Antara, Monday 20 December.

According to the Deputy Minister of PUPR, the existence of the BIJB Kertajati Access Toll Road along with the construction of the Cisumdawu Toll Road will also support connectivity to the airport by reducing travel time from Bandung to around 3 hours to 1 hour.

"This toll road is an addition to the scope that is part of the Cikampek-Palimanan Toll Road which has been operating for a long time. The operation of the BIJB Kertajati Access Toll Road today also coincides with the commemoration of Road Day which is set every December 20 based on the Decree of the Minister of PUPR No. 1151 2021," he said.

On Monday, the BIJB Kertajati Access Toll Road, which is connected to the Cikampek-Palimanan (Cipali) Toll Road for approximately 3.7 km, was officially operational.

Deputy Minister of PUPR John Wempi Wetipo directly carried out the process of tapping the e-Toll card at the Kertajati Utama Toll Gate as a sign of the operation of the BIJB Kertajati Access Toll Road so that it could be enjoyed by the public, especially in the West Java area.

Meanwhile, the Head of BPJT of the PUPR Ministry, Danang Parikesit, said that this toll road has a very important meaning, namely, it has a short connection from the Cipali Toll Road to BIJB Kertajati and is an important symbol of the integration of various types of infrastructure.

"The connection between the toll road infrastructure and BIJB Kertajati is a symbol that all planning is carried out in an integrated manner. It is hoped that the integration of these two infrastructures will make regional competitiveness, economy, logistics, and increase the growth of new economic tourism in the Rebana area in West Java which is growing," said Danang.

The operation of the BIJB Kertajati Access Toll Road has been determined based on the Decree of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing No. 1514/KPTS/M/2021 concerning the Establishment of the Operation of the BIJB Access Toll Road as part of the Cikampek-Palimanan Toll Road along with the Decree of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing No. 1515/KPTS/M/2021 concerning the Determination of the Types of Motorized Vehicles and the Amount of the BIBJ Kertajati Access Toll Road as part of the Cikampek-Palimanan Toll Road.

In the construction of the BIJB Kertajati Access Toll Road, there is also a statue icon in the form of a typical West Java angklung in the middle of the Kertajati Interchange which is connected to the Cipali Toll Road.

The BIJB Kertajati Access Toll Road section is managed by the toll road business entity (BUJT) PT Astra Tol Cipali which also operates the Cipali Toll Road, and PT Acset Indonusa Tbk, as the implementing contractor with a project value of Rp692 billion.

Previously, aviation observer Alvin Lie assessed that the ecosystem of Kertajati Airport, Majalengka, West Java, needs to continue to be built after the toll road access to the airport is operated starting today, December 20.

"The attraction of the airport is not only access, but also the accompanying equipment. If the flight is in the morning, where are the passengers staying, where to shop, how to get on with the transportation, so that it becomes the attraction of the airport," he said, quoted from Antara, Monday, December 20.

According to Alvin, with the operation of the Kertajati Airport Access Toll Road starting Monday, December 20, it will be easier for people to access the airport. However, Kertajati Airport will not necessarily become more crowded.

"As long as there are not enough passengers, the airline will not go there, because they also don't want to lose money," he said.