Construction Of Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train Tunnel Is Accelerating, Jokowi Asks To Be Tested In 2022

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. (Photo: Twitter @jokowi)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited the location of the Jakarta-Bandung fast train construction project. The progress or development of this project development is already above 70 percent. Therefore, he targets that in early 2022 it will enter the operational stage and by the end of 2022 it can be tested.

During his visit, Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Minister of State-Owned Enterprise Erick Thohir.

In addition, he also accompanied West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, President Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, and Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xiao Qian.

The first point visited was Casting Yard # 1 which is precisely located in Wangunharja Village, North Cikarang District, Bekasi Regency.

Then, Jokowi also reviewed the location of Tunnel # 1 for the Jakarta-Bandung fast train which is located at Km 5 + 500 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, Jaticempaka Village, Pondokgede District, Bekasi City. The tunnel, which contains two fast train tracks, is 1.8 kilometers long and passes under the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road.

"The progress to this day was reported to me as 73 percent completed. And early next year it will enter into preparations for the operation. And it is hoped that by the end of 2022 the Jakarta-Bandung fast train can be tested. Of course, after the trial, it will go straight into operation," he said while visiting the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train construction project, Tuesday, May 18.

In addition, Jokowi hopes that the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train can be integrated with the LRT and MRT in Jakarta. The goal is to make time efficient.

"So there is time efficiency, speed, so that this becomes a competitiveness for our country to compete with other countries," he explained.

Jokowi also emphasized that there must be a technology transfer process in the construction of the fast train. He asked Indonesian human resources to be able to capture and take knowledge from the construction of this fast train project.

"We hope that later when it is decided that it will be extended to Surabaya, the readiness of our human resources will already have experience," he said.

Previously, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) targeted all tunnels to be completed by the end of this year. Director of Fast Train Project Management, Allan Tandiono, said that currently eight of the 13 tunnels have been completed.

"Good news, Mr. President, two days ago tunnel 11 has been penetrated, so as of this week 8 tunnels have been penetrated and the target is that at the end of the year all tunnels will be completed. So the target is towards the operational period at the end of next year," he said while accompanying President Joko Widodo to review the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train, Tuesday, May 18.

Allan said the 1,885 meter-long tunnel 1 Halim Fast Train Jakarta Bandung, or 1.8 kilometers (km) located on the Jakarta-Cikampek KM 5 + 500 Toll Road, was the first to be inaugurated. This tunnel is also the only tunnel that uses the same tunnel boring machine (TBM) as the Jakarta MRT.

Furthermore, Allan said that what distinguishes TBM in the Jakarta MRT from the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train is its size. In this project, the size used is 13.19 meters and is the largest ever operating in Indonesia. In fact, it has been proven and given a certificate by MURI.

"It (is) 25 meters from the bottom and this tunnel crosses the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, thus using TBM to keep the ground from moving above like the Jakarta MRT, because the toll road should not be disturbed," he said.

Allan said, the timeline for the construction of the 1.8 km long tunnel took 14 months starting from October 2019 to December 2020. Furthermore, his party will finish the opening or launching.

"It will be closed just like the MRT. The youth statue will be supported, after it is closed. Later this will also be closed neatly. Until the end of that year, we will pursue. We will also install drainage and cable installation for the signaling system and others. For the facility system of train operations," he said.