IKN Airport Runaway Has Not Been Completed Ahead Of The Independence Ceremony, Basuki Apologizes

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono (Photo: VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono apologized for not being able to complete the construction of the airport in the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) on August 17, 2024.

Basuki said that the air infrastructure development was hampered by rain which did not stop at IKN some time ago.

"Sorry, because our airport at IKN is still less than 300 meters (m) for 2,200 m," Basuki said at a press conference for the Independence Month in Jakarta which was monitored online on Thursday, August 1.

He said that his party together with the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) would only be able to complete the runway or runway less than the target of 2,200 m until August 14.

Thus, it is certain that IKN Airport will not be able to operate during the celebration of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day in the Archipelago.

"However, until the 14th (August), approximately 2,200 m may still be less than 300 m. So, the plane cannot accommodate it," he said.

Even so, said Basuki, his party continues to strive for the construction of airports in IKN to be completed soon. One of the efforts made was to coordinate with the Meteorology and Climatology Agency for Geophysics (BMKG) to carry out weather modifications. As a result, he continued, during the last two weeks there was no longer rain at IKN.

"Currently we are escorting 24 hours with Weather Modification Technology (TMC). So, thank God we didn't rain there for two weeks," said Basuki.

"Sorry, the plane has not been able to accommodate it, but with a helicopter it can be done," he concluded.