Minister Ensures Road Preparedness to Brace for ‘Mudik’
Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono.
Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing has ensured preparedness of national and toll roads ahead of this year’s mudik (an annual exodus ahead of Eid al Fitr).
Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said that the Ministry has been making preparation to ensure the smooth of mudik following President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to allow people to take part in mudik this year.
The Minister added that road steadiness of all national non-toll roads in Indonesia spanning 47,017 kilometers reached 91.8 percent, adding that the roads include 7,918 kilometers in Sumatra, 5,348 kilometers in Java and Bali, 6,556 kilometers in Kalimantan, 8,785 kilometers in Sulawesi, and 18,410 in Maluku and Papua.
On the other hand, 2,500 kilometers of toll roads in Indonesia are on operation, he added.
The roads which are managed by 46 different the Indonesia Toll Road Authorities (BPJT) consist of 691 kilometers in Sumatra, 1,640 kilometers in Java, 10.1 kilometers in Bali, 97.3 kilometers in Kalimantan, and 61.5 kilometers in Sulawesi.
In addition, the Minister added, toll roads in Java island include Trans Java, Non-Trans Java, and Greater Jakarta area has 96 rest and service areas.
“We are currently working to expand toll road connecting Jakarta and Cikampek Line B (KM 67 – KM 50) as a measure to anticipate limited line for arus balik (return traffic after Eid al-Fitr annual exodus), particularly for sedans,” he said, adding that the road is expected to operate 10 days before Eid.
The Ministry is also preparing the toll road for emergency situation and duplicating Ciujung Bridge on KM 57 of Tangerang-Merak Toll Road predicted to be in operation on April 8, 2022.
As for road users, the Minister said that the Government will improve service for 3.8 million travelers taking part in this year’s mudik though several facilities such as shopping areas, toilets, disabled friendly facilities, places of worship, and green areas.
Basuki went on to say that that road steadiness of all national non-toll roads in Java island spanning 4,973 kilometers have reached 94.2 percent, adding that several construction works are still under way but they are projected to completed 10 days before Eid al-Fitr.
In Bali, Bali-Mandara Toll Road spanning 10.1 kilometers has been operating, while road steadiness of 363 kilometers of national non-toll roads is 98.3 percent.
In Sumatra, 691 kilometers of Trans Sumatra Toll Road is facilitated with 25 rest and service areas, while road steadiness of 7,918 kilometers of national non-toll roads in that island is 96.3 percent.
Furthermore, Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road in Kalimantan spanning 99 kilometers has been operating and road steadiness of 6,556 kilometers of national non-toll roads is 85.4 percent.
In Sulawesi, 61.5 kilometers of toll roads have been operating and road steadiness of national non-toll roads is 93.2 percent. (PR of Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing/UN) (RAS/EP)
