The minister believes that the development of Kediri Airport was quite quick.
"Seven months ago we came here, and the progress was very good. The airport would have a positive impact on people in Southern East Java," Pandjaitan stated during his visit to Dhoho Airport on Tuesday.
With the presence of Dhoho Airport, the people in Pacitan, Trenggalek, Tulungagung, Kediri, and the surrounding areas will have closer access to air transportation. Moreover, toll road infrastructure support will accelerate inter-regional connectivity, Pandjaitan explained.
The minister also invited all parties to support the construction of Dhoho Airport and toll road in order to boost the economy of the community, especially in the southern region of East Java, including the completion of land acquisition, for which 1.7 hectares are currently remaining.
Pandjaitan also noted that the development of Dhoho Airport was a national strategic project. Despite land acquisition yet to be completed, Pandjaitan is optimistic that it would not hinder the progress in construction of the airport.
The government had given concessions to landowners, who were freed with a large compensation value, he remarked.
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"All of us must support the development of this airport. The Police and Indonesia's Military (TNI) will help with the security, as well as the local government is ready to help," Pandjaitan emphasized.
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN), Sofyan Djalil remarked that his side was committed to assisting with the settlement of land management required for the airport's construction.
"Our job here is to help with the land acquisition. Officials from BPN must be more proactive," Djalil stated.
Meanwhile, Director of PT Gudang Garam (Tbk.) Istata Taswin Siddharta targets the construction of Dhoho International Airport to be completed by the end of 2022 and to become operational in mid-2023.
Currently, the progress in construction is in the earthwork stage that has reached 80-percent completion.
"The development of this airport aims to increase connectivity and address developmental disparities in the southern part of East Java. The surrounding area around the airport will also grow to become a new economic center," Siddharta noted.
This airport was built by PT Surya Dhoho Investama, a subsidiary of PT Gudang Garam Tbk through the Government Cooperation with Business Entity (PPP) scheme.
In addition, PT Gudang Garam (Tbk.), through its subsidiary, will also build 7.2 kilometers of road access to the airport as part of the 37-kilometer Kediri – Tulungagung Toll Road series, thereby bringing the total length of the toll road to 43 kilometers.
The Dhoho International Airport in Grogol Sub-district, Kediri District, will have a runway spanning 3,300 meters, with a width of 45 meters, spread across on 371 hectares. With the terminal area spanning 18 thousand square meters, the airport will be able to accommodate 1.5 million passengers annually.
As an international airport, Dhoho Airport will also serve international flights for Hajj and Umrah.
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Translator: Asmaul C, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
