Run-down Aceh railway to get Rp 3.5t overhaul<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government will spend at least Rp 3.5
\ntrillion (US$406 million) to rebuild the dilapidated 481-
\nkilometer railway linking Banda Aceh and Besitang in North
\nSumatra, an Acehnese official said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Head of the provincial office of the communications ministry
\nUsman Duni said the renovation would take at least five years.<\/p>\n
The first stage this fiscal year will entail rebuilding the
\n72-km track linking Langsa in East Aceh to Besitang, he said.<\/p>\n
It will be followed by rebuilding the 162-km section from
\nLangsa to Lhoksemawe in North Aceh, Lhoksemawe-Bireun (58-km),
\nBireun-Sigli (Pidie\/100-km) and Sigli-Banda Aceh (89-km).<\/p>\n
\"We are prioritizing the development of the Langsa-Besitang
\nrailway so that locomotives and rolling stocks from North
\nSumatra's capital of Medan can immediately make use of the
\nrailway,\" Usman was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
Aceh's railway network, like most in the country, was built
\nduring the Dutch colonial era. Acehnese say the Dutch built the
\nnetwork to support the movement of their military in fighting
\nunrest in the area.<\/p>\n
The system fell into disrepair after the country proclaimed
\nindependence in 1945.<\/p>\n
Many parts of the track have been removed by residents.<\/p>\n
President B.J. Habibie in his recent visit to the province
\npromised to rebuild the railway to show the government's
\nrepentance for military atrocities during the New Order era.<\/p>\n
Usman said the rebuilding of the railway network was expected
\nto support development of tourism, agroindustry, agriculture and
\nmining in the province.<\/p>\n
Local people will be able to export commodities through
\nBelawan Port in Medan by train.<\/p>\n
\"The areas around the railways can be potentially developed as
\nnew economic centers. The public has the chance to enhance its
\nwelfare and the political tension can be appeased,\" Usman said.<\/p>\n
Aceh vice governor Bustari Mansur called on members of the
\npublic occupying sites on the railway network to cede them to
\nstate-owned railway company Perumka to allow repair work to
\nbegin.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the public is willing to return the land to its
\nformer condition, so that the development of the railway network
\ncan be smoothly realized.\"<\/p>\n
He added that Aceh's provincial administration fully supported
\nthe plan because of its great benefits to the public.<\/p>\n
He warned against members of the public seeking compensation
\nfor land returned to Perumka because the plots rightfully
\nbelonged to the state. (jsk)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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