Pandaan – Malang Toll Road Awarded As Green Toll Road Indonesia

Toll road connecting Pandaan and Malang. (Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing).

The Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing has completed the construction of toll road connecting Pandaan and Malang, East Java, that spans 38.48 kilometers.

The works, starting from planning, constructing, operating, to managing, considered the aspects of environmental preservation and sustainability.

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono asserted that improvement in the toll roads services should meet the Minimum Service Standards to adjust tariff of the toll road.

The Minister also called the Indonesia Toll Road Authority to improve the quality of toll roads services on an ongoing basis as the public demand and expectation always increases.

“We do believe better toll roads and rest areas will contribute to the safety and comfort of road users,” he added.

Pandaan – Malang Toll Road was awarded as Green Toll Road Indonesia Certificate with Gold Plus level category by Green Infrastructure and Facilities Indonesia, the subdivision of Green Product Council Indonesia (GPCI), a non-profit organization under Global Ecolabel Network (GEN).

The certification is based on six indicators such as access, feasibility and service, energy and water efficiency, environment, materials, construction and regional cooperation. They are the same purposes listed in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The development of environmentally-friendly and sustainable toll road infrastructure concept as an example of business transformation is expected to inspire other the infrastructure development projects conducted by contractors or investors to always pay attention to environmental sustainability aspect.

The Minister went on to say that in infrastructure development projects, the Government not only focuses on economic growth but also on environmental preservation and sustainability. For that reason, the Government has developed ‘green infrastructure’ concept that consisted of natural system and engineered solution that are implemented starting from planning, constructing, operating, to managing so that future generations can also get the benefits.

Head of Indonesia Toll Road Authority Danang Parikesit said that the state-owned toll operator PT. Jasa Marga must always refer to the Green Toll Road certificate to lead all toll road authority in connecting Indonesia.

For the record, Pandaan – Malang Toll Road which is a part of Surabaya – Malang Toll Road has scenic views with picturesque mountains such as Mount Bromo, Mount Semeru, Mount Arjuno, Mount Kawi, Mount Panderman, and Mount Penanggungan.

In April, the Ministry has opened Pandaan – Malang Toll Road Section V for public that connects Pakis and Malang that spans 3.1 kilometers after passing feasibility test by Bina Marga Road Agency. Pandaan – Malang Toll Road spanning 38.48 kilometers has five sections; Section I Pandaan – Purwodadi with a total length of 15.4 kilometers, Section II Purwodadi – Lawang with a total length of 8 kilometers, Section III Lawang –Singosari with a total length of 7.1 kilometers, Section IV Singosari – Pakis with a total length of 4.7 kilometers, and Section V Pakis – Malang with a total length of 3.1 kilometers

Pandaan – Malang Toll Road will be vital for people and goods mobilization from Surabaya to Malang and vice versa. The Toll Road will cut travel time from Surabaya to Malang and its surrounding regions and provide access to tourist destination spots such as Prigen Indonesia Safari Zoo, Wonosari Tea Plantation, Singosari Temple, and Batu tourism places. (Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani