Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Head of South Kalimantan Transportation Agency Hermansyah said that the plan to build public rail transportation in the province requires an investment of IDR24 trillion.
"From Banjarmasin to Tanjung the distance is about 213 kilometers. Based on study for the railway development in this province requires funds of IDR24 trillion," he said here on Monday.
He acknowledged that it was still difficult to find investors to invest in the railway sector in South Kalimantan, up till now.
According to him, the provincial government together with the central government have made a maximum effort to search for investors, even to abroad.
"We have offered to Japan, but there has been no response," said Hermansyah.
Meanwhile, domestically, these offers were also made to local and national entrepreneurs. "We have also offered coal businessmen to invest in this railroad," he said.
He opined that the railways in South Kalimantan could be realized if funding is pushed through the state budget (APBN). "It is no more about profit and loss calculation, but a public service," he said.
It was often said by Governor H Sahbirin Noor, he said, that many people in the province have never ride on the train. "That is why the Governor is eager to build railway for people, thus the development can be evenly felt by the people," he explained.
In addition, he said, railroad transportation if available in this area could be an alternative for transporting mining and plantation products.
"The study is complete with South Kalimantan's aspirations for the construction of railroad. We keep on strive to make it happen, not to discouraged," said Hermansyah.
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