Jakarta-Surabaya rapid train to use existing track

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Acting Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Luhut Binsar Panjaitan has said the development of the Jakarta-Surabaya rapid train will use the existing track.

“For the rapid train, we will use the existing network. We will strengthen the bearing pads and make the crossings run over or under, so there will not be any gates that can harm anyone,” stated the minister at the State Palace complex in Jakarta, Tuesday.

He mentioned that there are a thousand crossing points on the Jakarta-Surabaya railway network.

The minister hoped the project survey, due to be conducted in partnership with Japanese representatives, could be done in the first quarter of 2017.

“The Jakarta-Surabaya rapid train, which runs up to 200 kilometers per hour, will have an immense impact on the nations economy,” he remarked.

The projects investment value is considerably large, reaching US$2.5 to 3 million.

Minister Panjaitan explained that the agenda of his meeting with President Joko Widodo today includes reporting the results of his trip to Japan, which was a follow-up to the presidents agreement with Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

“I met the prime minister along with his ministers and other officials,” he reiterated.

He pointed out that the notions agreed upon by both country leaders included the Maritime Economic Cooperation, which was initiated last year.

“We are now pursuing cooperation in a number of locations, including oil explorations in Natuna, economic development in Sabang, Patimbang harbor development in West Java, and farming advances in Merauke, Papua,” he remarked.

He also mentioned cooperation in the education sector, where Japan will help with vocational training, while sending their professors to a number of technology corporations in Indonesia.

“Partnerships in strategic industries are also included, which covers the rapid train project to be discussed with the minister of state-owned enterprises,” he continued.

He added that from the string of agreements, those that will potentially be carried out during the first quarter of 2017 include the development of Patimbang Harbor.

“Then, we will proceed with a joint survey for the Jakarta-Surabaya rapid train,” he concluded.