TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi on Wednesday, February 7 inaugurated the operation of the Tebing Tinggi-Indrapura section and the Indrapura-Limapuluh section in North Sumatra. Both sections are part of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road, which is projected to improve transportation connectivity to the Lake Toba tourist area and the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (KEK).

"I hereby inaugurate the Kisaran Indrapura-Limapuluh toll road and the Kuala Tanjung-Tebing Tinggi-Parapat section, Tebing Tinggi-Indrapura section, in Batubara Regency, North Sumatra Province," Jokowi said in his speech.

The Tebing Tinggi Indrapura toll road section, which spans 20.4 kilometers, was built at a cost of Rp3.06 trillion. Meanwhile, the Indrapura-Limapuluh toll road section has a length of 15.6 kilometers and cost Rp1.67 trillion to build.

Jokowi hopes that this infrastructure will speed up travel time from Medan and its surroundings to Kisaran and Riau Province, and allow nearby cities to continue to develop and encourage economic growth in the region and beyond. The president is optimistic that the existence of toll roads will increase interest in investing in nearby areas.

Jokowi believes that the operation of these toll road sections will increase the volume of tourist visits to Lake Toba and its surrounding areas, and lower the logistics costs to Kuala Tanjung Port and SEZ Sei Mangkei.

"We hope that with this toll road there will be an increase in regional competitiveness, encourage the growth of new businesses and create as many jobs as possible," he said.

ANTARA

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