Jakarta (7/8) - Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi handed over the Basic Engineering Design (BED) of the East-West MRT Line to the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government at the Mataram Room, Ministry of Transportation, on Monday, 7 August 2023. The document was received directly by the PJ Governor of DKI Jakarta, Heru Budi Hartono, which marked the start of the construction of the East-West MRT Line.

The submission of the BED is a milestone in the development of rail-based mass transportation in Jakarta and is expected to be an example for other regions. It is also expected to have a positive impact on the progress of transportation in Indonesia.

Heru Budi Hartono said that the Jakarta Provincial Government will continue to synergize to process the East-West MRT BED.

Hopefully, with the submission of this BED, all can be united and move in one direction to build and advance transportation in Jakarta, especially train-based transportation," he said.

In the presentation delivered by the Director General of Railways, it was conveyed that the construction of East West MRT phase one will be divided into two stages. While the construction structure will be underground for the Jabodetabek area and elevated for the West Java and Banten Provinces.

"The construction of phase one starts from Tomang to Medan Satria. While phase two is from Kembangan to Tomang," he said.

The Minister of Transportation added that the East West MRT project is a National Strategic Project (PSN) that must be guarded together.

"I entrust this project to the Directorate General of Railways as the fosterer of the railway sector to coordinate with relevant stakeholders, including the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government," the Minister said.

When fully installed, the East West MRT corridor will stretch 90 kilometers from Balaraja Tangerang to Cikarang, bridging three provinces, two regencies, and three cities. (DPP)