Tangerang To Build Rp12 Trillion Monorail Project

Serang, Oct 10 (Antara) - A 35-40 kilometer monorail will be built between Serpong and the Soekarno Hatta airport in Tangerang to cost around Rp12 trillion. The cost would entirely be provided by investor PT Petras Indonesia, Petras president director Kim Young Hwan said here on Thursday. A kilometer of the rail will cost around US35 million to US$40 million dollar, bringing the total cost of the project to Rp12 trillion, Kim said after the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The initial agreement was signed by Kim Young Hwan and president director of PT Banten Global Development (BGD) Shaleh MT witnessed by Banten provincial officials. Kim said Petras and BDG will establish a joint venture company PT Banten Monorel to carry out the project. "PT Banten Monorel will also be the operator of the facility," he said. Kim said his company would carry out feasibility study expected to be wrapped up in six months. "The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place on August 17 next year and construction is to be completed in three years," he said. The project will include construction of supporting facilities including a depot and 13 stations, he said. Assistant II of the secretariat of the Banten provincial administration Husni Hasan said he hoped the project could be implemented immediately to facilitate transport between Serpong and the airport and to reduce congestion in the roads. "The road between Serpong and the Soekarno Hatta airport has been congested. The monorail will help reduce the congestion," Husni said. Traffic jams have been everyday scene in the main road after heavy duty trucks are not allowed to use the toll road in Jakarta, he said.