We are targeting to operate the Serang-Panimbang toll road by 2024.
Pandeglang (ANTARA) - The under-construction 83.67-kilometer Serang-Panimbang toll road could help improve the economy of the people living in the southern area of Banten Province, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said on Monday.

The development of the toll road will connect the industrial, production, and tourism areas to enable the establishment of a special economic zone (SEZ) in the province.

The infrastructure is expected to revive tourism activities in the province as the highway will shorten the travel time from Jakarta to Panimbang Sub-district, Pandeglang District, Banten Province, to two hours. Currently, the trip takes about five hours.

“Hence, we are optimistic that many tourists will visit the special economic zone in the future as there will be five-star hotels and tourism destinations,” the minister said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Section 3 of the Serang-Panimbang toll road.

The construction of the toll road is being carried out through a public-private partnership scheme, he added.

At least 50 km of the highway will be constructed by the private sector, while the remaining road will be developed by the government at a total cost of Rp10.8 trillion (US$721 million) and an investment of Rp8.58 trillion (US$572.8 million).

Currently, the progress of the land acquisition for the toll road has reached 83.86 percent.

Section 3 of the Serang-Panimbang toll road, which is the Cileles-Panimbang section, will span 33 km in length and will cost Rp4.626 trillion (US$308.8 million) to build.

"We are targeting to operate the Serang-Panimbang toll road by 2024," Hadimuljono informed.

Meanwhile, acting Governor of Banten, Al Muktabar, said that the operation of the toll road would encourage the acceleration of the development of Tanjung Lesung Marina Beach SEZ, thus, it could increase the welfare of the people living in southern Banten region.

"We (also) hope that the construction of the toll road can absorb the workforce," he added.

Related news: Minister seeks Banten toll road completion to improve people's economy
Related news: Serang-Panimbang Toll Road to improve logistics networks: President


Translator: Mansyur Suryana, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022