Kotabaru, S Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The ferry boat crossing Pulau Laut with Kalimantan mainland will start operating in March 2018, said an official in Kotabaru.
Vice Regent of Kotabaru H Burhanuddin here on Thursday said the local government has planned to open the Sigam route cruise in Pulau Laut with Tanjung Batu, Central Kelumpang Sub-district on Kalimantan mainland.
"God willing, if there are no obstacles, on March 17 the ferry cruise for Sigam-Tanjung Batu starts operation," he said.
Vice Regent hopes, with the operation of the ferry, distribution of basic commodities, agricultural and plantation products, and other goods can be smooth.
So far, farmers in Central Kelumpang, North Kelumpang, and surrounding areas have difficulty in transporting agriculture and plantations products.
Farmers' crops and plantations are bought cheaply by collectors, due to the unavailability of cheap and affordable means of transportation for the lower middle class.
During this time people are forced to use ground transportation to get to the district capital, from the sub-district area with a distance of nearly 200 kilometers, and the cost is quite expensive.
With the operation of the ferry is expected farmers can easily sell agricultural and plantation products, as well as their livestock to the city, otherwise the distribution of food goods as well as others can be smooth.
Previously, Kotabaru Regent H Sayed Jafar said, the local government plans to build "Sea Toll" by preparing ferry boats crossing Sigam, Pulau Laut-Central Kelumpang.
"The opening of the ferry cruise of Sigam-Central Kelumpang is the result of the cooperation of local government with shipping company PT Pelayaran Benua Raya Khatulistiwa," he said.