President of Indonesia Joko Widodo inaugurated the first high-speed railway in Southeast Asia on Monday. It is a key project under the Belt and Road Infrastructure initiative of China.
The project has been beset with pauses and rising costs. Some observers question its commercial benefits. However, Widodo has championed the 142-kilometre (88-mile) railway. On Sunday, the project got an official operating license from the Transportation Ministry.
Largely funded by China, the USD 7.3 billion project was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as PT KCIC. It is a collaborative venture between an Indonesian consortium of four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd.
Railway connects Jakarta with Bandung
The railway connects Jakarta with Bandung. It will cut travel time between the cities from the current three hours to just 40 minutes. Due to the use of electrical energy, it is expected to reduce carbon emissions.
In his opening remarks, Widodo officially named the first high-speed railway in Indonesia – the fastest in Southeast Asia. The operating speed will be upto 350 kph (217 mph).
“The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train marks the modernisation of our mass transportation, which is efficient and environmentally friendly,” Widodo said, reported AP.
Along with other high-ranking officials, Widodo rode Whoosh from its first station, (Halim in eastern Jakarta) to Bandung’s Padalarang station. On September 13, he took a 25-minute test ride on the train. He informed reporters that he felt comfortable sitting or walking inside the bullet train even at its top speeds.
Early last month, while visiting Jakarta for three days of talks with leaders, Chinese Premier Li Qiang took a test ride.
In 2016, Indonesia broke ground on the project. Originally, the line was expected to begin operations in 2019. However, it was delayed by disputes over land acquisition, environmental issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic.