Promises Remain Unfulfilled for Manggarai-Cikarang DDT Project

For over a dozen years, the construction project for the double-double track (DDT) line on the Bekasi-Cikarang route has been stalled, with no clear completion date in sight, and it has resurfaced in discussions. Calls for the government to complete the DDT Bekasi-Cikarang have emerged following the tragedy of a collision between the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train and the Commuter Line at Bekasi Timur station, which claimed lives. Currently, the operational DDT line covers only the Jatinegara-Bekasi segment. On that route, the long-distance train (KAJJ) and Commuter Line (KRL) tracks have been separated, thereby reducing the risk of travel disruptions and train accidents. The DDT project is designed to connect Manggarai station to Cikarang. However, construction is still underway on the Manggarai-Jatinegara segment, including the ongoing revival of the Manggarai Ultimate development. Meanwhile, the Bekasi-Cikarang segment has yet to commence. For context, the DDT Manggarai-Cikarang project is highly vital due to the intense train traffic along that route. This stems from the overlap between KAJJ and KRL services. Another significant impact from operating the DDT Manggarai-Cikarang would be a substantial increase in the number of KRL trips, addressing the passenger density issues along this line. Citing a Kompas.com archive from 14 August 2021, the Ministry of Transportation at that time had targeted the completion of the DDT Manggarai-Cikarang by 2021. “As the PPK (Commitment Making Official), I am certainly optimistic it can be done by December 2021,” said Andhika Mardjuni, who served as PPK for the Development of DDT Package B at the Jakarta-Banten Railway Technical Office of the Ministry of Transportation. Andhika acknowledged that the construction of the DDT segment from Manggarai to Cikarang had indeed been delayed. This was due to issues with consignment funds in the Kranji station area that had not yet been agreed upon by residents. He explained that the DDT Package B project is built in three phases. First, the southern side construction, the second phase once the DDT is operational. Then, construction will proceed to the north. Finally, it will be built on the parking side. Andhika at that time even claimed there were no obstacles in financing the DDT Bekasi-Cikarang segment project. This is because the budget uses multi-year funding amounting to Rp 620 billion from 2019 to 2021. “(Financing) there are no obstacles. Both Package B and Package A are funded by SBSN (State Sharia Securities),” he said. Andhika stated that his team continues to pursue the completion of the DDT Manggarai-Cikarang construction process in 2021.