Bappenas Suggests Bali Provincial Government To Build LRT Using Domestic Loans

PHOTOS OF THE Bali Provincial Government's Public Relations).

DENPASAR - The Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN)/Bappenas advised the Bali Provincial Government to consider domestic funding options, in addition to foreign loans, for the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) transportation mode.

The suggestion was conveyed by the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas SuharsoMonoarfa to the Head of the Bali Transportation Service, GIS Samsi Gunarta and Acting Governor of Bali Sang Made Mahendra after they met Suharso in the discussion on the development of the LRT.

"Given the urgency of implementation, Minister Monoarfa will encourage funding options in the form of domestic loans to ensure the government's presence in this project," said SamsiGunarta, Wednesday, October 4.

These domestic loan funds can later be used to build infrastructure in the form of tunnels, tracks, stations, depots, and other civilian constructions.

The Bali-Kerthi Development Fund (BDF), which was just launched some time ago in Bali, could become a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage non-governmental sources of funds specifically used to finance Bali's development, including LRT development projects.

"We have been asked to start preparing the timeline and calculate backward from the groundbreaking scheduled for the beginning or period of the first semester of 2024," said the Head of the Bali Transportation Agency.

"We have to move quickly because this project is already rolling very fast, and the central government has started to take positions. We even asked, and provided several alternative solutions for Bali to develop and operate the LRT," continued the Bali Provincial Government official.

In the meeting of the Bali Provincial Government and the Minister of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Samsi revealed that there were discussions about efforts to get further financing so that the LRT could continue to operate.

It is proposed that LRT be part of the expansion of airport services, thus providing alternatives that are more efficient for airport users and helping to break up surrounding congestion.

Later, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport users will receive extra services, namely being an LRT passenger who can check inside outside the airport, making sure to enter the airport area without fear of being stuck in traffic, allowing them to enjoy the available time before the plane takes off by enjoying Bali.

"The most important thing about this scheme is dealing with congestion, and ensuring that Bali tourism is in the position of the current service level. Our tourism is good, but we need improvement through infrastructure support, especially adequate modes of transportation. This will ensure Bali's competitiveness increases rapidly compared to other tourist destinations in the world," he said.

In front of the Minister of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Head of the Bali Transportation Agency also explained the plan for the route to be built, namely in the initial phase of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Mengwi route, and in the future it is planned to cover the entire Bali area.

This route is also divided into three stages, namely Phase 1, namely I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Seminyak through Central Parking, Phase 2 from Seminyak to Canggu, and Phase 3 from Canggu to Mengwi.

The priority of the Bali Provincial Government at this time is Phase 1 Airport-Seminyak, because this route has experienced a severe level of congestion, then Phase 1 is divided into sections, namely Phase 1A of Parking Airport-Central, and Phase 1B of Parking-Seminyak Central.

"Most of them will use the underground route, but in places that allow using the road to touch the ground, we will use that method," concluded Samsi.