Jakarta (ANTARA) - The bypass road from the Lombok International Airport to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) supports the area's economy and tourism, the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) stated.

"The government has built the 17-km bypass road from the Lombok International Airport to Mandalika SEZ as the main backbone of connectivity that accelerates access to the SEZ," KSP Expert Staff Anne Aprina Priskila noted in a press release received here on Monday.

The bypass road was able to slash travel time from the Lombok International Airport to Mandalika SEZ, from 60 minutes to 15 minutes, she remarked.

The KSP team has been monitoring construction of the bypass road to be completed on time. The road has been functioning since a month back and was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on November 12, 2021.

In addition to the closer distance to the Mandalika SEZ, tourists were treated to the eye-catching scenery en route at the Km 11 and Menangis Hill.

Head of the NTB Tourism Destination Development Division Ahlul Wakti stated that accessibility in Lombok was improving and was able to help revive the tourism sector in Central Lombok District.

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Head of the NTB National Road Construction Agency (BPJN) Reiza Setiawan remarked that the bypass road proffered benefits to the local community and tourists as well.

"This road is already functioning well, but we are still continuing to improve it by tidying the road shoulders and cliff edges as well as providing street lighting at several vulnerable points for the safety and comfort of people," Setiawan remarked.

The KSP continues to ensure the preparations of this area to become a new tourism magnet in Indonesia.

To this end, the KSP calls for collaboration between the government and all elements of society to support the success of various events to be held in Mandalika. Thus, the infrastructure built is truly beneficial to the local community.

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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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