Residents Opinions Matter in High Speed Railway Construction

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - 21 January 2016 has been marked as the blueprint symbolizing progression of joint Indonesia-China venture on transportation infrastructure development as it signals the very first official day of the construction of Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway to take place. The project is expected to reach successful completion in 2019 and will then begin to fully operate in 2019.

While it is true that the agreement signed serves as a positive contribution by China capable of spurring the national development within Indonesian region, it cannot be denied that the locals opinions matter and that their voices need to be heard.

Locals who reside in areas where the construction occur are given 30 days to voice out their opinion over such course of action and how it can damage the environment amid development of project.

“One of the main things we have to focus on is the voice of the people who live around and near the areas where construction of high speed railway is taking place. We ought to communicate with them, ask for advice and opinion. Even with the Forestry Minister already issuing a letter allowing for such construction to take place, we still need to take their opinions into serious account because it is truly their rights,” Managing Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesian China (KCIC) Hanggoro Budi Wirjawan said, Friday (22/1/2016).

“West Java Governor gives these people 30 days to have their says about the mode of transportation development as a sign of his respect and support for a synergized voice of the government, people and the developers,” he further stated.