President Jokowi : Merak-Banyuwangi Toll Road to be Finished by the end of 2019
President Jokowi at the inauguration of Ngawi-Kertosono Toll Road (Ngawi-Wilangan Section), at Madiun Toll Gate, Bagi Village, Madiun Regency, East Java Province on Thursday (29/3). (Photo: PR / Oji).
After a working visit to Malang, President Joko Jokowi Widodo continued the agenda to inaugurate Ngawi-Kertosono Toll Road (Ngawi-Wilangan Section), at Madiun Toll Gate, Bagi Village, Madiun district, Madiun Regency, East Java Province, Thursday (29/3).
In his remarks, President Jokowi explained that in this modern era, all countries want a fast, brief, and online system. “Slow (paced) country will be left behind,” President said.
President Jokowi also mentioned that infrastructure is very important to compete with other countries. The President gave example, when Jagorawi toll road was constructed in 1977, many countries such as China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Philippines learned from Indonesia.
But now, according to President Jokowi, infrastructure development needs to be pursued so we will not be left behind with neighboring countries. Therefore, the President expressed his gratitude for the completion of Ngawi-Wilangan section.
“People can enjoy (this section) on Eid al-Fitr holiday,” President Jokowi continued while attached e-toll card at the inauguration of Ngawi-Kertosono toll road, followed by the signing of inscription.
On that occasion, President Jokowi also said that by the end of 2018, toll road from Merak to Pasuruan will be connected. “At the end of 2019, Merak to Banyuwangi toll road will be connected,” said the President.
Meanwhile, Governor of East Java, Soekarwo, expressed his gratitude for the inauguration of Ngawi-Kertosono Toll Road (Ngawi-Wilangan Section). The Governor admitted initially he did not expect there will be a toll road in Madiun.
“We are delighted that the travel time can be shortened to 2 hours only,” continued the Governor of East Java. He also hoped that by the end of 2019, all toll roads will be connected to improve efficiency of delivery of goods and services.
For the record, the length of main toll road constructed by PT Ngawi Kertosono Jaya (NKJ) is 87 kilometers (km), which consists of 49.5 km Klitik (Ngawi) -Wilangan section and 37.5 km Wilangan-Kertosono section. In this toll road, there will be 3 interchanges: Madiun, Caruban, and Nganjuk.
Also attending this event were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, and Governor of East Java Soekarwo. (EN/OJI/ES) (STU/MMB/Naster)
