Java-Madura bridge project starts<\/p>\n
Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, East Java<\/p>\n
After several delays, the Indonesian government inaugurated on
\nWednesday the construction of a bridge connecting Java and Madura
\nislands.<\/p>\n
The bridge, which will be the longest in Indonesia at 5.4
\nkilometers in length and 30 meters in width, will cost Rp 2.83
\ntrillion (around US$354 million).<\/p>\n
During the ceremony in Tambakwedi subdistrict, Kenjeran,
\nSurabaya, to install the first concrete pillar for the giant
\nbridge, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said the project should
\nfinish as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that the bridge can be completed in 3.5 years, faster
\nthan the original schedule of four years,\" said Megawati.<\/p>\n
At the same ceremony, Megawati also officiated the
\nconstruction of thousands of houses allocated for the members of
\ncivil servants and the Indonesian Military (TNI) nationwide.<\/p>\n
Among the attendees of the ceremony were TNI chief Gen.
\nEndriartono Sutarto, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar,
\nCoordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti,
\nseveral other Cabinet ministers and Megawati's husband Taufik
\nKiemas.<\/p>\n
Minister of Settlements and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno,
\nwho is responsible for the bridge construction, said the
\nconstruction alone would cost Rp 2.38 trillion, while the
\nremaining Rp 450 billion was allocated for land clearance.<\/p>\n
The funding will come from the state budget, the East Java
\nprovincial budget, state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga
\nand a Rp 1.5 trillion loan from the Chinese government.<\/p>\n
The bridge construction was brought to light in 1960 by Prof.
\nSedyatmo, a renowned architect, and was again revived by East
\nJava governor Muhammad Noer in 1970s. Over the next few decades,
\nthe idea died down, following protests by certain Muslim groups
\non Madura island, who feared the project would make Madura more
\nvulnerable to social problems.<\/p>\n
The economic crisis in 1997 also contributed to the delay of
\nthe bridge's construction.<\/p>\n
Many feared that after the sea barrier between Java and Madura
\nis cleared, stiffer economic competition between people on the
\ntwo islands would intensify at the expense of the Madurese.<\/p>\n
In her impromptu speech, Megawati said, \"I'll not be happy if
\nthe construction of the bridge will sideline the Madura natives.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, regarding the construction of housing complex for
\nthe TNI members and civil servants, Soenarno said that, under the
\nprogram, the government would build more than 52,000 modest
\nhouses in 62 mayoralties\/regencies nationwide. This year, the
\ngovernment is to complete some 15,000 houses.<\/p>\n
For Navy personnel, the government will build 40,715 units
\nnationwide, while police personnel will receive 52 low-cost
\napartments units that can accommodate 1,612 police families.<\/p>\n
Soenarno said the government was completing preparations for a
\nhousing construction project for Air Force and Army personnel.<\/p>",
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