Deputy Minister of Transportation Says Jakarta-Surabaya High-Speed ​​Train Still Under Feasibility Study

Whoosh (Antara doc. photo)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Transportation (Wamenhub) Suntana said that the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train project plan is currently still in the feasibility study stage.

"We are still reviewing (the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train)," he said, quoting Antara.

According to Suntana, the Ministry of Transportation is conducting a feasibility study to ensure whether this project can bring maximum benefits to the community.

Suntana emphasized that the main principle in every infrastructure project is to facilitate transportation access for the community, while providing cheaper and more comfortable travel options.

He also emphasized the importance of a thorough evaluation and assessment before making a decision.

"In principle, if it facilitates and makes transportation cheap and comfortable, why not? But we can't just decide everything suddenly, we have to evaluate it," he said.

However, Suntana reminded that every major project must be evaluated carefully so as not to add additional burden to the state budget. The assessment of projects such as high-speed trains must consider the financial impact on state finances.

He also emphasized that every major project, including high-speed trains, needs to go through various stages of assessment, starting from a feasibility study to a technical design document or detailed engineering design (DED).

Through this study, the government can evaluate various important aspects, including effectiveness, efficiency, and impact on state finances.

"I said earlier that there is an assessment, right, every project has a feasibility study, there is a DED. Then we see whether this even burdens the state budget? and so on," he said.

Even so, Suntana emphasized that infrastructure projects must be based on the interests of the community and the government is committed to providing transportation facilities that are beneficial to the public.

"But everything (if) for the benefit of the community, the convenience of the community, the government is definitely committed to implementing that," said the Deputy Minister of Transportation.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) revealed that the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train infrastructure plan could be a breakthrough (game changer).

"I think we will continue to study this and I will study it in more detail, but at least I see this as important, this is something that will be a game changer if it can be realized," said AHY in Jakarta, Wednesday (10/30).

According to AHY, the high-speed rail infrastructure plan requires a lot of resources and also support from various parties. However, if it can be realized, the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed rail infrastructure can provide high economic value for the community.

"But if this can once again be realized connecting Jakarta - Surabaya for example, a route used by tens or even hundreds of millions of people. I think it will be something that is not only monumental but will also provide high economic value," he said.

AHY said that he would first study the plan for the fast train infrastructure.

"I will study it, I will not convey it in detail first because this is my phase to be able to better understand the problem as well as study the targets that were previously set," he said.