MUARA ENIM (BINA MARGA) - Not one month after the Bengkulu - Curup - Lubuk Linggau Toll Road Concession Agreement (PPJT) was signed, the government through the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) and PT. Hutama Karya re-signed the PPJT of Muara Enim Toll - Simpang Indralaya and Muara Enim - Lahat - Lubuk Linggau, Tuesday afternoon (9/4).

These three toll roads will be interconnected and open toll access from Bengkulu on the west coast to the East Coast in the Palembang Indralaya Toll Road (Palindra) with a total length of 329.3 Km. As we know Palindra Toll has already operated and is included in the Trans Sumatra (Lampung-Aceh) Toll that is being built. While the three toll roads that have just been signed by the PPJT are Supporting tolls.

"These two sections are a series of toll roads leading to Bengkulu. If they are fully connected, Palembang to Bengkulu only takes 4 hours," explained the Head of the Toll Road Management Agency (BPJT) Danang Parikesit.

Meanwhile, if the two toll roads whose operations have just been signed are completed, then the drive from Palembang to Muara Enim takes 1.5 hours. Much different from the current conditions that need to be taken in 4 hours. The travel time has been proven by the author directly.

Danang explained that the Muara Enim - Simpang Indralaya toll road has a length of 119 km with an investment cost of Rp 24.1 trillion. Meanwhile the Muara Enim - Lubuk Linggau Toll Road has a length of 114.5 km with an investment cost of Rp 23.7 trillion.

"In total, the investment needed for these three toll roads is Rp. 85.51 trillion with a concession period of 40 years," he said.

In his remarks, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono said, the acceleration of toll road construction because the Trans Sumatra toll road from Lampung to Palembang will be completed in June.

"The Trans Sumatra toll road from Bakauheni in Lampung to Palembang will soon be fully connected in June 2019 for 350 km," he said.

He hopes that the people of Muara Enim, Palembang and South Sumatra in general can support the government's efforts to help build infrastructure in the regions, especially in the land acquisition process.

"Please support the community. Although this PSN is to support regional development and community welfare in the area. It's not that the fathers (regions) support us, but we (the center) support the fathers. So the work program can be done well. If there is no problem in land acquisition, God willing, the construction can be done quickly, "he concluded.

If there are no significant obstacles, the government is optimistic that the Simpang Indralaya - Prabumulih toll road can operate in February 2022.

The Governor of South Sumatra, Herman Deru expressed his gratitude and gratitude regarding the construction of the Muara Enim Toll Road - Simpral Indralaya and Muara Enim - Lahat - Lubuk Linggau.

"I never imagined that there would be a toll road even as an entrance at Muara Enim. This is certainly a struggle. Where is the readiness of regional governments supported by our representatives in the DPR. So this amazing event during the day is thankful, "he said.

Also present at the signing of the PPJT was the Minister of Transportation, as well as elements of the National Road Implementation Center V, Palembang, led by KGS. Saeful Anwar. (Ian)