The government is seeking offers for the construction of a railway linking Jakarta with the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, Banten, after the previous winner failed to start construction, an official said Friday.<\/p>\n
\"As decided at a coordinating meeting at the vice presidential office, the Transportation Ministry will repeat the bidding process,\" said state minister for state entrprises deputy for tourism and logistics Harry Susetyo.<\/p>\n
The process has to be repeated because technical issues have stalled the project.<\/p>\n
Harry said the project managers, state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II and state railway operator PT Kereta Api, failed to find an ideal solution.<\/p>\n
Previously, the office of the state minister for state enterprises had facilitated a meeting with both firms to discuss the technical issues.<\/p>\n
The 30-kilometer railway will connect the airport to Manggarai railway station in South Jakarta passing through Dukuh Atas and Muara Angke areas.<\/p>\n
It is estimated the project will cost Rp 2.2 trillion (US$239 million). The railway is expected to be operational by 2009.<\/p>\n
The railway is deemed necessary as the main toll road linking Jakarta to the airport is often flooded during the rainy season and by tidal waves.<\/p>\n
Both state firms established a joint-venture company, PT Rail Link, to build the railway. The company, however, was unable to secure funding from state banks Bank Mandiri and BNI as well as private Bank Mega.<\/p>\n
A similar railway is planned to connect North Sumatra's Kuala Namu Airport with provincial capital Medan, and West Sumatra's Minangkabau International Airport with provincial seat Padang.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-seek-offers-for-airport-train-projects-1210986474", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }