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Jokowi launches construction of airport for the new capital
FILE PHOTO: Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is greeted by Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong, China, April 30, 2017. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the breaking ground on an airport construction in the new capital city, Nusantara, on Wednesday. During the ceremony, Jokowi officially announced the start of the airport’s construction and mentioned that the 347-hectare airport is anticipated to be fully operational by December 2024, beginning limited operations in June.
Valued at Rp 4.3 trillion (US$269 million), the airport is positioned approximately 43 kilometres from the heart of Nusantara, with access facilitated by an existing road and a 23-km toll road. The airport is designed to feature a 3,000-metre runway and cater to wide-body aircraft, with a terminal area spanning 7,350 square metres.
Stressing the airport’s significance in supporting governmental functions in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN), the president highlighted its role in enhancing connectivity.
Next week, Jokowi is anticipated to inaugurate 10 projects totalling Rp 12.5 trillion in Nusantara, Indonesia’s newly established capital located within the Kalimantan rainforests. Also, the government of Indonesia has allocated Rp 40.6 trillion for Nusantara’s construction in the 2024 budget.
A consortium of Indonesian companies, including Adaro, Astra International, Agung Sedayu Grup, and Barito Pacific, has invested around Rp 20 trillion in Nusantara. The consortium recently commenced the construction of a hotel, while other projects funded by this investment will be announced soon.
The Nusantara Capital City Authority recently partnered with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) to establish a research and development centre in the upcoming capital. This collaboration is expected to engage global higher education institutions, particularly from the UK, to establish branch campuses in Nusantara. The IKN Authority aims to create a top-tier educational hub and is actively seeking collaborations with international universities.
The official launch of Nusantara is planned for August 17 next year, coinciding with the country’s independence day.
