Maros—Barru Railway Line Ready to Operate in October 2022

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi at the inspection of Makassar–Parepare railway construction (Photo by: Ministry of Transportation PR)

In a bid to accomplish one of the National Strategic Projects (PSN) in South Sulawesi province, the Government has constructed the Maros—Barru railway line that spans along 71 kilometers.

“The railway will be operational on October,” Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said as quoted from the Ministry’s official website, Monday (05/30).

In addition to being a pioneering passenger transport, the railway will also serve as a tourist train to a number of potential tourist attractions in South Sulawesi, such as in Barru regency and Rammang-Rammang tourist village.

“I encourage local governments and tourism stakeholders to develop tourism here, be it culinary arts, or scenery of mountains, rice fields, and the sea,”Budi Karya said.

For the record, the construction of Maros—Barru railway line is one of the three main targets of Makassar-Parepare railway construction project. The second is to connect railway line from Garongkong Port and Tonasa Cement Factory (Maros-Pangkep-Barru) to serve logistics train and the extension of railway line from Maros Station to Mandai Station which is slated to be completed in March 2023.

The logistics train is considered essential for South Sulawesi as it would transport commodities such as coal, cement, and others to Garongkong Port. The Minister also expressed hope that with the collaboration of passenger and logistics train, the route will be productive and able to grow new economic centers in the province.

Meanwhile, the third is to continue the construction of railway line from Barru Station to Pallanro Station, so the railway will extend to approximately 110 kilometers that spans from Mandai Station of Makassar to Pallanro Station and the line is slated to be operational in the second quarter of 2024.(Ministry of Transportation PR/UN) (GWH/LW)