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Korean firm interested in developing light rail transit in North Sumatra
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Silangit Airport in North Sumatra is expected to have a capacity of 1 million passengers annually after renovations are complete. (kompas.com/Bambang Jatmiko)
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Korean public company, the Korea Rail Network Authority (KRNA), has expressed its interest in partnering with North Sumatra province to build a public transport system in the province, an executive has said.
The authority’s general manager for the overseas division, Park Dae-geun, was quoted by Antara on Wednesday as saying the company was interested in investing in the province following a meeting with the administration’s acting city secretary, Ibnu S. Hutomo.
Park said the province was in dire need of better and reliable public transportation given the fast-growing population and rapid economic growth.
The Korean firm is currently also handling the development of the light rail transit (LRT) in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Ibnu of the North Sumatra administration welcomed KRNA’s interest, saying the province was keen to develop its rail transportation system.
“The North Sumatra administration is eager to develop a railway line to connect Medan from Pematang Siantar to the Toba Lake resort area in Parapat and Silangit Airport in North Tapanuli,” Ibnu said, adding that the current rail line being operated by state railway firm PT Kereta Api Indonesia only started in Medan and ended in Pematang Siantar.
Ibnu said more reliable modes of transportation had become the administration’s top priority, especially in a bid to accommodate a higher influx of foreign tourists to the province.
Late last year, state airport operator Angkasa Pura II completed its renovations on Silangit Airport as part of efforts to boost tourist arrivals in the promotion of Lake Toba as a prime destination. The renovation includes the extension of the runway to 2,650 meters from 2,400 m, the expansion of the apron's capacity and the airport terminal with a total investment of Rp 369 billion (US $27.7 million). The new apron will be able to accommodate two Boeing 737-500 planes and four Boeing 737-900 ER planes, while the renovated terminal will have an increased capacity of 1 million passengers from 36,500 passengers annually.
Aside from tourism purposes, the administration also plans to build more rail lines to link to other cities, such as Binjai, Deli Serdang and Karo, Ibnu said. (dmr)
