“Pulau Dewata”, also generally known as Bali, will soon have its first railway network. Construction of the Bali Light Rail (LRT) will begin in January 2024. Bisnis.com quoted this as reported by Badung Regent I Nyoman Giri Prasta.
Nyoman stated that the groundbreaking ceremony might be held in January. He mentioned that this project, valued at 25 trillion rupees, might be implemented by several investors. However, he didn’t specify which countries these investors come from.
Earlier, Ministry of Transport spokeswoman Adita Irawati mentioned that the feasibility study of the Bali LRT project might be conducted by a consortium of South Korean firms, which incorporates the Korean National Railways, Korail, Saman Co. Ltd. and Dongmyeong Co. Ltd. However, Adita couldn’t confirm whether this consortium would implement the project.
Regarding project financing, Bappenas chief Suharso Monoarfa stated that the Bali LRT financing program is split into two parts: domestic borrowing and fundraising through the Bali Kerthi Development Fund (BDF).
Bali’s LRT line is ready to attach Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport with Mengwi. The project might be divided into three stages: Stage 1 from the airport to Seminyak via the central car parking zone, Stage 2 from Seminyak to Canggu and Stage 3 from Canggu to Mengwi.
Unlike Palembang LRT, Jakarta LRT and Jabodebek LRT, that are built on elevated tracks, Bali LRT is planned to be built underground. According to CNBC Indonesia, that is as a consequence of customary law restrictions that don’t allow structures higher than temples (pura).
Nyoman hopes that the introduction of LRT to Bali will reduce traffic congestion at Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and tourist areas comparable to Kuta and Canggu by as much as 75 percent. Nevertheless, Nyoman assures that the presence of the Bali LRT is not going to eliminate existing tourism transport firms which were around for a very long time.
