"The venues are numerous. There are six venues in Jakarta. It is impossible (to wait for the LRT construction to complete)," Kalla noted.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s light rail transit (LRT) project will not become operational during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, as construction work will not be completed within four months in time for the event.

This confirmation was made by Vice President Jusuf Kalla after receiving a report from the state-owned builder PT Adhi Karya Director Budi Harto at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday.

"The venues are numerous. There are six venues in Jakarta. It is impossible (to wait for the LRT construction to complete)," Kalla noted.

As a solution, Kalla suggested creating special lines for contingents and stakeholders during the Asian Games.

"The decision was made, and we should ready special road lines dedicated for the contingents and stakeholders," he added.

Several issues have hindered the construction of the LRT, and coordination among the transportation minister, provincial government of DKI Jakarta, and several state-owned enterprises is required to come up with a solution.

The Jakarta LRT is designed to be integrated with the MRT and Transjakarta lines. According to Kalla, this integration will require a lot more time to be completed.

Unlike Jakarta, Palembang, which is also the host city for the 2018 Asian Games to be held on Aug 18 to Sept 2, is comparatively better prepared to provide LRT as a means of transportation for the athletes, contingents, and stakeholders.

State-owned train manufacturer PT Industri Kereta Api has begun the delivery of LRT to Palembang, South Sumatra, which will be operated to support the 2018 Asian Games.

Of the total orders reaching eight train sets with 24 trains, delivery will be done gradually until next June.

The LRT has been built using 45 percent of domestic content and is designed to carry 379 passengers.

The South Sumatra LRT will connect the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin International Airport to the Jakabaring Sport City area, which will be used as an arena for the 2018 Asian Games, to the depot located in Ogan Permai Indah.

Reported by Fransiska Ninditya
Y013/INE
(T.Y013/A/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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