Serang-Rangkasbitung Toll Road Boosts Banten's Economy

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS WISNU WARDHANA DANY

President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Serang-Panimbang section of the Serang-Rangkasbitung Toll Road at the Rangkasbitung Toll Gate, Lebak Regency, Banten, Tuesday (16/11/2021). The Serang Panimbang Toll Road is divided into three sections with a length of 83.67 km which passes through Serang City, Serang Regency, Lebak Regency, and Rangkasbitung Regency.

RANGKASBITUNG, KOMPAS — Infrastructure development is the foundation for invigorating Indonesia's competitiveness. Interregional convenience and connectivity through the toll road infrastructure is expected to boost economic growth and improve people's welfare.

"I have said many times [that] infrastructure is the foundation for our country to compete with other countries," President Joko Widodo said on Tuesday (16/11/2021) while inaugurating Section 1, or the Serang-Rangkasbitung toll road segment, of the Serang-Panimbang Toll Road, at the Rangkasbitung tollgate in Banten.

If Indonesia ranks low on the competitiveness index, it will find it difficult to surpass other countries. Competitiveness can be increased with a smooth logistics chain. Connectivity reduces logistics costs while goods can be distributed promptly.

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Agriculture and plantation products as well as the products of other sectors are expected to be distributed easily and quickly. This economic flow is expected to create as many jobs as possible.

“Connectivity is the foundation to encourage regional economic growth. I believe this will be an economic lever in Banten, especially around this toll road [in] Lebak and Pandeglang regencies," said the President.

President Joko Widodo was accompanied during the inauguration event by Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, State Secretary Pratikno, and Banten Governor Wahidin Halim.

The President promised that the inauguration of the new toll road section would be followed with the construction of section 2 of the Rangkasbitung-Cileles toll road segment and section 3 of the Cileles-Panimbang segment.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS WISNU WARDHANA DANY

Rangkasbitung Toll Gate on Serang-Panimbang Toll Road section Serang-Rangkasbitung section along 26.5 km which is ready to operate, Tuesday (16/11/2021).

No isolation

In his speech, Wahidin Halim said the toll road would be of great benefit to the people of Banten. "This will provide incentives for residents. Banten will become a developed area and will no longer be isolated," he said.

Traveling from Serang to Rangkas Bitung normally takes 1.5 hours, but the new toll road has cut down the travel time to around 20 minutes. Lebak and Jakarta residents are finding it easier to interact. The same benefits will be enjoyed by the residents of Serang city as well as areas of Serang and Pandeglang regencies surrounding the toll road.

"We urge the acceleration of [the construction] of the 33 kilometers to Tanjung Lesung, Panimbang. This is the people’s hope," Wahidin added.

This will provide incentives for residents. Banten will become a developed area and will no longer be isolated.

Three sections

The Serang-Panimbang Toll Road is divided into three sections and spans a total length of 83.67 km. According to the website of the Priority Infrastructure Acceleration Committee, the project has an investment value of Rp 9.93 trillion under a public-private financing scheme. Access to the Tanjung Lesung Special Economic Zone is managed by PT Wijaya Karya Serang Panimbang.

Section 1 of the Serang-Rangkasbitung segment, which spans 26.5 km, is operational, while ongoing construction on Section 2 of the Rangkasbitung-Cileles segment, spanning 24.14 km, is 13.21 percent complete. Section 3 of the Cileles-Panimbang segment, spanning 33 km, is in the land acquisition stage with targeted completion by 2022.

"The targeted completion of sections 2 and 3 is by the end of 2023 so by early 2024, the Serang-Panimbang Toll Road will be fully operational," said Basuki Hadi Muljono.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.