Kediri, E.Java, May 30 (Antara) - Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the government still is studying plan to build an airport in the District of Kediri, East Java.
Construction of the project is possible in 2019, the minister said here when attending the ceremony commissioning the Wijaya Kusuma bridge in the sub-district of Ngadiluwih on Tuesday.
"Currently, the plan is still in the phase of improving its design and land preparation, that when it is all wrapped up construction could start in 2019," he said.
He said the land needed for the project is relatively large around 300-400 hectares. Currently land clearing is only 78 percent completed.
He said operation of the airport would be handed over to relevant corporations either PT Angkasa Pura I or PT Angkasa Pura II, both owned by the state, yet to be decided.
Meanwhile, Minister/Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, who was also attended the ceremony, said he never imagined that Kediri would have an airport, although airport would bring about positive impact on the economy of the district.
Pramono said all licenses needed for the projects have been issued by the Transport Minister, but there are still problems to be solved including land clearing.
He said he hoped the local people support the project as it would contribute greatly to economic development in that district especially as it is included in the national development program.
The central Government also plans to build toll road between Kertosono and Tulungagung. Currently there is already toll road linking Jombang with Sidoarjo, therefore, with the Kertosono-Tulungagung toll road, travelers could save much time.
"The Kertosono-Tulungagung toll road is expected to bring about new industrial area in East Java not only in Sidoarjo, Surabaya but also in Kediri," he said.
He said President Joko Widodo himself has said problems like land clearing should be solved immediately.
Pramono said massive infrastructure development has also been in progress in the regions outside Java.
He cited , most people in South Sulawesi have never expected to see railway transport facility in their land, but now it is a reality.
"Similarly toll roads - Trans Sumatra, Trans Kalimantan and Trans Papua have been or being built," he said, adding around 3,800 kilometers of toll roads have been built under President Joko Widodo administration.
The infrastructure development program of the government has greatly contributed to the people's economy, he said, citing an example, that the prices of essential goods in eastern regions notably in Papua have dropped sharply by 15-20 percent.
The three minister including Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono were in Kediri to attend the commissioning of the Wijaya Kusuma bridge in the sub-district of Ngadiluwih.
The bridge would be needed especially ahead and during the Ied ul Fitr celebration when many Muslims travel to their relatives.
Pramono said the construction of the bridge was already planned long time earlier before he was named minister.
The bridge will facilitate transport between areas in the western and eastern areas of the river.
"So far the people in the western bank of the river have been in difficulty to send their commodities to the market across the river," he said.
He said he took the initiative to propose the project to the Central Government.
He said he discussed the project with the Public Works and Housing Minister before it was brought up to the President, who gave his approval.
With the bridge the farmers would no longer in much difficulty to bring their farm products to the markets, he said,
"They are no longer isolated because of inadequate infrastructure," he added. (*)
