MINISTER of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Saturday (1/4), checked the progress of the construction of the Lhokseumawe–Bireuen railway line which is part of the construction of the Trans Sumatra Railway.
In his review, the Minister of Transportation tested the Cut Meutia Diesel Train (KRD), which has been operating as a pioneer train serving the Krueng Geukueh–Bungkaih–Krueng Mane route, which is part of the Lhokseumawe–Bireuen cross-railway.
One set of train sets consisting of two trains, serves commuter trips 7 times a day with a fare of IDR 2,000. Going forward, the domestically made KRD Cut Meutia service from PT INKA will continue to extend its services, crossing a number of stations namely Krueng Geukueh-Bungkaih-Krueng Mane-Geurugok-Kutablang.
“We are trying to complete the construction so that it can operate at a speed that can be continuously improved. When this is finished, I will invite President Jokowi to come here,” said the Minister of Transportation.
The Minister of Transportation said the government would continue to build rail mass transit in Aceh Province to facilitate passenger and freight connectivity between provinces, cities and districts.
“The development of rail infrastructure in Aceh must continue, because Aceh is full of economic potential that can be continuously developed. The presence of the Cut Meutia Train is a clear proof of our concern in developing mass transit services in Aceh,” said the Minister of Transportation.
Apart from trying to complete the railroad line from Krueng Geukueh Station to Kutablang Station, efforts are currently underway to complete the Krueng Geukueh–Paloh railway line.
The Lhokseumawe–Bireuen cross-railway line was built to pass through a number of areas, namely Lhokseumawe-Goa Japan–Paloh–Krueng Geukueh–Krueng Mane-Geurugok–Kutablang–Matang Glumpang Dua–Tanoh Mirah–Bireuen. This railway line has a rail width measuring 1,435 mm (standard gauge), or the same as the Makassar-Parepare railway line in South Sulawesi.
With the increasing length of the operating railroad line, it is hoped that it will further increase the interest of the people of Aceh and its surroundings to use rail mass transit.
During his working visit, the Minister of Transportation also reviewed the development of the Besitang-Langsa railway line, which connects the two provinces, namely North Sumatra and Aceh.
Also present at this activity were the Director General of Railways, Risal Wasal, and Member of Commission V of the Indonesian Parliament, Ruslan M Daud. (RO/J-1)