VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry is currently constructing Indonesia's longest underpass, reportedly spanning 1.3 kilometers, under the Kulonprogo Airport, or New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA), in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

“This underpass is part of the Java Southern Coast national road. Careful consideration of all security factors is necessary during the construction process,” Indonesian Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono stated at a press conference in Jakarta, Monday.

The minister believes that the new underpass aims to maintain open access to the Java Southern Coast national road connecting Purwokerto, Central Java, with Yogyakarta.

Hadimuljono pointed to access to the old Java Southern Coast national road being cut owing to the construction of the NYIA.

To ensure all security aspects pertaining to the underpass were covered, Hadimuljono has tasked Head of the Long Bridge and Underpass security Committee Sugiyartanto and Directorate General of Highways to make careful calculations covering all security and safety aspects of the underpass.

For instance, the minister has pointed to the need for more emergency exits in the underpass.

“Currently, discussions centering around security aspects are still ongoing,” he stated.

Furthermore, Minister Hadimuljono had appealed to contractors -- the joint venture operation of PT Wijaya Karya (WIKA) and PT Menara Cipta Metalindo (MCM) -- to be heedful of the underpass’ waterways to avert any instances of flooding.

He also highlighted the importance for contractors to fine-tune their working methodologies by being sentient of the occupational health and safety aspects and their sanitation.

“The national road should not be dusty, so the construction equipment should be in a clean condition while entering and exiting the construction site to prevent any discomfort to road users,” he emphasized.

In its endeavor to support the development of the New Yogyakarta International Airport as part of the national strategic projects, Hadimuljono stated that his ministry and PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) will take mitigatory measures against flooding that had hit in March 2019.

Progress in the work of constructing the underpass has currently reached 30 percent completion, that began in November 2018, and is aimed for completion by December 2019.

Construction of the underpass had cost Rp293.18 billion of the Government Shariah Securities for the 2018-2019 period. (ANTARA)