Jakarta, President Prabowo Subianto’s policy to temporarily halt new toll road projects that have not yet begun construction has various implications for the development of toll road infrastructure in Indonesia. This step was taken to ensure that the construction of toll roads proceeds strategically and in accordance with national needs, particularly in supporting the grand connectivity plan until 2040.
Projects affected by this policy, such as the Puncak toll road and Kulonprogo-Cilacap, now have to wait for the feasibility study results and investor interest before they can be continued.
According to the member of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT), Sony Sulaksono Wibowo, this decision aims to optimize resources and ensure that the projects undertaken provide maximum benefits to the community.
“The President’s (Prabowo) directive to postpone new projects is a strategic move.” Thus, we can focus on ongoing projects and ensure efficiency in resource utilization,” said Sony, Friday (20/12/2024).
Ongoing Projects
Although several new projects have been postponed, the projects that are already under construction continue to progress on schedule. One example is the Gedebage-Tasikmalaya-Cilacap (Getaci) toll road, which is planned to be a strategic route to support connectivity in the southern region of Java.
In addition, the Solo-Jogja to Kulonprogo project continues to be carried out as it has entered the physical construction phase.
However, new proposals such as the Kulonprogo-Cilacap toll road and several projects in Sumatra will be held back until the feasibility studies are completed and investors show strong interest.
“If there are investors ready and the study is complete, the project can proceed.” But for now, we are holding back all new proposals to ensure focus on truly priority projects,” added Sony.
Evaluation and Long-Term Plan
The decision to halt this project is part of the government’s long-term strategy to develop the toll road network by 2040.
In the plan, the government targets a total of 3,000 kilometers of operational toll roads to support national connectivity.
According to Sony, a comprehensive evaluation of the toll road infrastructure needs is the top priority. “This delay provides time to accurately map the network needs, so that the projects undertaken truly support this grand plan,” he explained.
Impact on Delayed Projects
Several projects that are still in the planning stage, such as the Puncak toll road, will be directly affected by this policy. This raises concerns among the local community, who hope the project can proceed soon to reduce traffic congestion and improve regional connectivity.
However, the government emphasized that the postponement of new projects aims to prioritize efficiency and ensure that each project undertaken aligns with strategic needs.
“We understand that delaying a project like this is not easy, especially for the community that considers it urgent.” However, the government is committed to prioritizing projects that provide maximum benefits,” said Sony.
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