Jakarta (ANTARA) - The State Palace in Nusantara Capital City (IKN), which is currently under development, will become functional by the end of July, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) announced.

Imam Santoso Ernawi, the ministry's head of the task force for Nusantara infrastructure development planning, said that most of the rooms at the palace, including the main suites, will be ready for use.

Speaking at an online press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, he said that work on the ceremonial ground, which will host the national ceremony on the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17, has been completed.

"The ceremonial ground and its podium are 100 percent ready to be used as a venue for the ceremony of the Independence Day anniversary," he said, adding that the ceremonial ground can accommodate as many as 8,000 people.

The construction of the State Palace and the ceremonial ground has reached over 83 percent completion, while work on the Presidential Office is more than 88 percent complete.

He revealed the PUPR Ministry's plan to carry out testing and commissioning at the State Palace, Presidential Office, and the ceremonial ground this month.

"July is the month of testing and commissioning. This way, we aim to ensure that everything will be ready by August," he said.

The government has been making massive efforts to prepare essential infrastructure and facilities in Nusantara ahead of the national ceremony that will be led by President Joko Widodo.

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono on Wednesday assured that internet networks and supplies of water and electricity in the new capital city will be made available by August 17.

He underlined that his ministry is pursuing the target of making Nusantara Airport and its 2,200-meter-long runway operational before the Independence Day commemoration.

Hadimuljono further said that the government has been striving to ensure that several buildings for coordinating ministries and a 190-room hotel are ready to accommodate officers and other guests attending the ceremony.

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Translator: Aji C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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