Minister: Kalimantan Railway in 2017

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BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Transportation Minister Ignatius Jonan expects railroad construction project in Kalimantan can be realized in 2017, Antaranews reported.

The hope of railroads construction in Kalimantan was disclosed by Ignatius Jonan while attending evening gathering with the officials of the South Kalimantan provincial government in Graha Abdi Persada, Banjarmasin, Friday (20/3) night.

He explained the need to do an assessment of the condition to construct railway infrastructure that can connect the trans provinces in Kalimantan. He is optimistic that the construction can be carried out in 2017.

“The Ministry of Transportation will build, even land acquisition funds from the state budget later, it approved by Mr. President not to burden the provincial government. The local government later asked to help to smooth land acquisition,” he said.

He claimed not to reveal where the future of the started construction of the railway line, because if opened early its tracks information will make land prices soar.

He said it is time for Kalimantan, which has five provinces, to have a mass transportation in the form of rail transport as long-held in the island of Java.

“Because here is quite distant provinces, so we need fast transportation in the form of a train for public transport services between provinces,” he said.

He hoped that it was not simply a discourse again, but in the direction of reality that begins with the commitment of all parties to support the efforts of its manifestations.