TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry has allocated Rp600 billion for the development of transportation infrastructure in the Lake Toba area, North Sumatra, as the National Tourism Strategic Areas (KSPN).

“We know that Toba is one of the remarkable tourist destinations. So we will enhance several transport infrastructure items here, including this Muara Port,” Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said in a written statement, Monday, July 29.

According to Budi, the budget would be used to finance the development of 12 ports, viz. Balige, Muara, Ambarita, Ajibata, Simanindo, Tigaras, Sipinggan, Onan Runggu, Onan Baru, Nainggolan, Pakkara, and Marbuntoruan.

This project, he added, was part of the government’s support to transform Lake Toba into one of the 10 New Bali besides Labuan Bajo, Kuta Mandalika, Belitung, Seribu Islands, Wakatobi, Tanjung Lesung, Morotai, Borobudur, and Bromo.

Other than ports development, the ministry also planned to build five huge ships for tourist transports in the lake area. “The ministry will also empower local ships as it’s part of the people’s livelihood. We have to think of the locals as well,” Budi added.

Minister Budi targeted to complete the development of transportation facilities and infrastructure in Lake Toba by 2020.

In addition, the ministry through the Land Transportation Directorate General would enhance land transportation to support Lake Toba; the inner ring road of Samosir Island, the Kabanjahe-Sidikalang road, the national road of Simalungun regency, the road of D. Merangir-Siantar Island-Parapat, as well as eight routes of intermodal transport and supporting facilities.

CAESAR AKBAR