The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, provided an update on the progress of the light rail transit (LRT) project, which is essentially a metro system for Bali. On September 4, a religious ceremony was held, and a foundation stone was laid to mark the start of construction.
“We have secured the necessary funding, and the planning and research for the project are underway,” Luhut stated. He clarified that the planning and research for the LRT are being conducted to ensure it meets the transportation needs of the island.
According to Luhut, the research phase is nearing completion, focusing on the design of the LRT project, which will connect Ngurah Rai Airport with the island’s special economic zones.
The metro route is expected to pass through areas such as Turtle Island (Kura-Kura Bali), Sanur, and potentially Canggu.
Luhut had previously warned that if the LRT is not constructed at Ngurah Rai Airport, a traffic collapse in the main tourist areas would be inevitable. He based this on estimates that by 2026, the airport will handle around 24 million passengers annually.
Meanwhile, Bali Province Secretary Dewa Made Indra confirmed that preparatory meetings between authorities and contractors have begun. He mentioned that an official groundbreaking date for LRT construction would be set soon.
While the foundation stone laying did not mark the immediate start of construction, the authorities seem committed to the project, with funding secured. The project’s estimated cost is $20 billion, and officials are optimistic that even the completion of the first line will significantly ease the island’s growing traffic issues.
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