TEMPO.CO, Surabaya-Head of East Java Train Technical Center Widodo said the construction of tram infrastructure in Surabaya may commence this year since the administrative requirement has been completed by Surabaya administration.
The implementation of the tramway construction is pending the issuance of a presidential regulation, according to Widodo. The regulation will also stipulate the construction oversight from Transportation Ministry. “After the authorization of the Presidential Regulation, the project may start,” Widodo told Tempo on Monday, May 30, 2016.
Widodo said that Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan has sent a letter to Cabinet Secretary Sutikno on the preparation of the construction. The detailed engineering design (DED) of the project is complete and the funds are available. However, Widodo did not disclose the amount of the funds.
The megaproject is touted as the solution to Surabaya’s traffic jam issue. Three agencies are engaged in the project, namely Transportation Ministry that will oversee the infrastructure, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) as the operator and Surabaya Administration as the user.
Surabaya tram construction project is scheduled to complete and operate by 2019. The project is financed using multiyear funding arrangements.
Despite the claim about the readiness of the project, some issues in the land that is subject to infrastructure construction still hamper the process. Widodo said residents in Joyoboyo refused to be evicted. “The land is owned by PT KAI,” he said. The 5.5-hectare land is planned to be utilized as a depot of tram infrastrucures by PT KAI.
The 17-kilometer long tramway will be situated by the road median and pass through Jalan Raya Darmo, Jalan Urip Sumoharjo, Jalan Basuki Rahmat, Jalan Embong Malang.
ARTIKA RACHMI FARMITA
