We have no problems as we have bailout investment. The assistance could accelerate the construction."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will start to operate 8 kilometers of the 11-kilometers section of the new Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu (Becakayu) toll road connecting Bekasi City and Jakarta by March 2017.

"I believe by March, the 8 kilometers toll road can start operations. I hope we can operate both lanes, so there will be 16 kilometers of the new toll road," Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said here on Monday.

Jokowi conducted a visit to Becakayu toll road construction to observe the progress.

According to Jokowi, the toll project had been stopped for 22 years since 1997. The government restarted the project in 2015.

Indonesia plans to start operations of the 11 kilometers of the toll project by 2017.

The toll road will hopefully decrease traffic density between Bekasi and Jakarta.

The Becakayu Toll Road will also connect with the Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) lane that integrates with outer Jakarta areas.

Jokowi said there were no obstructions from land acquisition of Becakayu Toll Road.

"We have no problems as we have bailout investment. The assistance could accelerate the construction," he said.

Indonesia is boosting its infrastructure sectors such as airports, ports, roads and highways, and railways to develop the economy.

The president also asked ministers to help attract and support private investments in the infrastructure sectors.

According to the president, there were several areas in which such investments can support the development of infrastructure. Such an investment can be made by private sector players, state enterprises or via Public-Private Partnership (PPP) route.

"Infrastructure development shouldnt depend only on the State Budget or Regional Budget. We should open such opportunities for the private sector and for non-government investments," the president said here on Wednesday (Oct 26).

(Reported by Agus Salim/Uu.B019/INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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