TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has paid a working visit to North Sumatra to review the development plan of transportation infrastructure in Lake Toba which has been one of the priority areas in the development of leading tourist destinations in Indonesia.

"This afternoon the Minister of Transportation is scheduled to depart for Lake Toba to directly review the development plan of the transportation infrastructure. The Ministry of Transportation is very supportive of the program to realize Lake Toba as a leading tourist destination," the ministry's spokesman Hengki Angkasawan said here on Sunday.

Of the 10 tourist destination areas that will be developed into the so-called "New Bali", four areas are put in super priority namely Borobudur in Central Java, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara and Lake Toba in North Sumatra.

In his visit to Lake Toba, Sumadi will check several ports including Port of Muara, Ajibata Port and Ambarita Harbor and the implementation of safety procedures for passengers of ferries.

President Joko Widodo is scheduled to have a working visit to North Sumatra Province on Monday (29/7) in the company of the Minister of Transportation.

The Ministry continues to make improvements in both the safety and service aspects of transportation in Lake Toba.

At present, the Government has constructed ferry ports in eight locations in Lake Toba, namely the ports of Ajibata, Ambarita, Simanindo, Tigaras, Muara, Balige, Tongging and Marbun Toruan. It also operates three units of roll-on roll-off ferries and one Water Bus.

ANTARA