The runway would be lengthen to 2,650 meters and widen to 45 meters, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said here, on Saturday evening, after attending a limited cabinet meeting.
Currently, the runway is 2,400 meters long and 30 meters wide.
The airport is expected to be able to accommodate Boeing 737 800 aircraft after being upgraded.
Besides, the runway of Sibisa Airport in Toba Samosir District will be lengthened to 2,250 meters so Boeing 737 500 could land on it, the minister noted.
The Sibisa Airport now has runway measuring 750 meters long and 23 meters wide.
"The meeting was actually not over, it will be finalized on Sunday. The President wants to personally see the location of Lake Toba Authority," Pandjaitan said.
The government also plans to build a 87 km-long toll road from Pematang Siantar to Simalungun in 2017.
"It will be easier because over 50 km of the toll road covers land belonging to PTPN (state plantation company). So, we hope that the construction of toll road from Medan up to here will be fully completed in 2019," the minister said.
The government will also clean up the environment of Lake Toba and evaluate the presence of many floating fish cages on the lake.
He also said that three investors had held meetings with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to discuss constructions of hotels, golf fields, and convention centers in Toba area.
"They are committed to building five-star hotels, international convention centers, and other things," Pandjaitan remarked.
The government also plan to develop an international flower park to support the Lake Toba tourism.
President Jokowi is currently paying a three-day working visit to North Sumatra.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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