In Padang, West Sumatra, on Thursday, secretary general of the ministry, Mohammad Zainal Fatah, said that issues pertaining to the process of land acquisition have been hindering infrastructure development in Indonesia, including in West Sumatra.
"Generally, issues related to land (pose a) hurdle (to the development of) infrastructure. If the land is not cleared, we cannot work. The regional government is surely making efforts to persuade the people (to cooperate in land acquisition)," he added.
He emphasized that the PUPR Ministry is seeking prompt completion of the Padang-Pekanbaru Toll Road and noted that the infrastructure has been listed as a national strategic project (PSN).
Fatah expressed the belief that the toll road would enhance the mobility of vehicles, including those transporting logistics between provinces, and thereby, strengthen the growth of the economy, both regionally and nationally.
"The Ministry of PUPR wants the construction of this toll road to be immediately finished. This is a matter of the regional government's readiness," he said.
Earlier, executive vice president of state-owned construction company PT Hutama Karya, Tjahjo Purnomo, outlined several advances made in the development of the Padang Sicincin section, which is part of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS).
As of October 12, 2023, he said, the project reached 39.24 percent completion, with 91.62 percent of the land required having been cleared.
The construction of several structures supporting the toll road section, including five underbridges and two river bridges, has also been completed.
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Translator: Muhammad Z, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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