Run-down Aceh railway to get Rp 3.5t overhaul

JAKARTA (JP): The government will spend at least Rp 3.5 trillion (US$406 million) to rebuild the dilapidated 481- kilometer railway linking Banda Aceh and Besitang in North Sumatra, an Acehnese official said on Monday.

Head of the provincial office of the communications ministry Usman Duni said the renovation would take at least five years.

The first stage this fiscal year will entail rebuilding the 72-km track linking Langsa in East Aceh to Besitang, he said.

It will be followed by rebuilding the 162-km section from Langsa to Lhoksemawe in North Aceh, Lhoksemawe-Bireun (58-km), Bireun-Sigli (Pidie/100-km) and Sigli-Banda Aceh (89-km).

"We are prioritizing the development of the Langsa-Besitang railway so that locomotives and rolling stocks from North Sumatra's capital of Medan can immediately make use of the railway," Usman was quoted by Antara as saying.

Aceh's railway network, like most in the country, was built during the Dutch colonial era. Acehnese say the Dutch built the network to support the movement of their military in fighting unrest in the area.

The system fell into disrepair after the country proclaimed independence in 1945.

Many parts of the track have been removed by residents.

President B.J. Habibie in his recent visit to the province promised to rebuild the railway to show the government's repentance for military atrocities during the New Order era.

Usman said the rebuilding of the railway network was expected to support development of tourism, agroindustry, agriculture and mining in the province.

Local people will be able to export commodities through Belawan Port in Medan by train.

"The areas around the railways can be potentially developed as new economic centers. The public has the chance to enhance its welfare and the political tension can be appeased," Usman said.

Aceh vice governor Bustari Mansur called on members of the public occupying sites on the railway network to cede them to state-owned railway company Perumka to allow repair work to begin.

"We hope the public is willing to return the land to its former condition, so that the development of the railway network can be smoothly realized."

He added that Aceh's provincial administration fully supported the plan because of its great benefits to the public.

He warned against members of the public seeking compensation for land returned to Perumka because the plots rightfully belonged to the state. (jsk)