DPR Deputy Speaker Pushes for National Railway Network to Enter Southeast Sulawesi
The proposal for the construction of a railway line in Southeast Sulawesi has long been submitted, with the initial route already planned as part of the national transport network development.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Deputy Chairman of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Ridwan Bae, is pushing for the national railway network to extend into the province of Southeast Sulawesi to strengthen public mobility, logistics distribution, and drive regional economic growth.
Ridwan stated that the proposal for building a railway line in Southeast Sulawesi has been presented for a long time, and the initial route was even planned as part of the development of the national transport network in the central Indonesian region.
“I have previously proposed Southeast Sulawesi. In fact, the route has already been planned,” Ridwan confirmed in Jakarta on Friday.
Nevertheless, he noted that feasibility studies and viability assessments remain a challenge, meaning construction requires careful consideration; however, the infrastructure needs of the central region are essential.
He assessed that the construction of railway lines should not merely consider current conditions but should serve as a long-term investment to unlock opportunities for economic growth and equitable regional development.
Ridwan explained that the presence of railways will make it easier for the public to access more efficient, safe, and integrated modes of transport as economic activities in Southeast Sulawesi continue to develop.
In addition to serving passenger transport, the railway network is also expected to strengthen logistics distribution, thereby reducing transport costs and making inter-regional connectivity more efficient and highly competitive.
He noted that Southeast Sulawesi possesses great logistical potential, including industrial and mining activities, which require the support of a mass transport system capable of transporting goods effectively.
According to Ridwan, the existence of railway lines will provide dual benefits by supporting public mobility while smoothing the distribution of industrial products, mining outputs, and various leading regional commodities.
He emphasised that Commission V of the DPR RI continues to push for the development of the railway network in Southeast Sulawesi to ensure it becomes a vital part of strengthening connectivity and sustainable development in central Indonesia.
Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), stated that the government will undertake the reactivation and construction of approximately 14,000 km of railway lines across Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.
“At the very least, to achieve significant improvement, we need to build, develop, and reactivate approximately 14,000 km,” AHY said during a press conference following a coordination meeting on National Railway Network Development in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/4).
AHY mentioned that the current railway line in Sumatra spans 1,871 km. From that figure, an additional minimum of about 7,837 km is required to match the population size. Meanwhile, in Kalimantan, there is currently 0 km of the required minimum 2,772 km.
As for the Sulawesi region, the existing railway line spans 109 km; from that total, AHY noted that an additional 3,284 km is needed.
He stated that the government is encouraging the accelerated development of the railway network outside of Java as a strategic step to reduce logistics costs, decrease regional inequality, and strengthen national connectivity.