PT KAI to build double-track railway

BANDUNG: In a bid to overcome the busy Cikampek-Cirebon line, the state-run railway company PT KAI plans to build a 160- kilometer double-track railway for the route which will be ready for operation in two years time.

The company spokesman Gatot Wibowo said here on Thursday the route is currently passed by around 104 trains daily.

The single track railway cannot accommodate the busy commuting route.

"So our target is that within two years, the track will be ready and functional," Gatot told The Jakarta Post.

A total of Rp 529 billion has been allocated to build the double-track railway, Gatot said, adding that the funding was a loan from the Japanese government.

"We are so lucky that we have been granted a loan from the Japanese government," he said.

The construction will be divided into three phases, starting with the 54-kilometer railway between Cikampek-Cihaurgeulis, then the 53-kilometer track between Cihaurgeulis-Telagasari and finally a 54-kilometer phase from Telagasari-Cirebon.

"Our prediction is that there will be a 50 percent increase in the number of trains passing the route (when construction is completed)," Gatot remarked. (25/emf)