"We have been boosting connectivity by adopting Indonesia-centric development, breaking free from development that is centered on Java. We have been constructing various facilities, including ferry ports, at 71 locations across Indonesia," he remarked during a press conference in Jakarta.
He emphasized the importance of developing transportation infrastructure not only on major islands but also in remote areas and small islands.
Sumadi noted that in an effort to provide basic services and bolster connectivity, the Ministry of Transportation has been developing infrastructure in the transportation sector for four main means of transportation under the leadership of President Joko Widodo.
In detail, the ministry has been constructing ferry ports at 71 locations, revitalizing ferry ports at 54 locations, developing type A bus terminals at five locations, and revitalizing alike terminals at 140 locations, he said.
He highlighted that the government has been making tremendous efforts to develop new ports at 18 locations, revitalize ports at 164 locations, construct about 1,683 km of railway lines, and conduct revitalization on 1,900 km of railway lines.
Sumadi also underlined that the ministry had successfully developed the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and light rail transit (LRT) systems in Jakarta and South Sumatra.
"The development of LRT systems is a means to improve urban mass transportation. We have also been supporting the MRT (mass rapid transit) train system. It should be noted that the two train systems built are the products of our nation," he pointed out.
He further stated that the government has been building 25 new airports and conducting repairs on 38 existing ones.
"There are 25 new airports, most of which are located in relatively unpopular locations, such as Fakfak (West Papua), Nabire (Central Papua), and Mandailing Natal (North Sumatra). We are also repairing existing airports," he remarked.
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Translator: Kuntum K, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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