President: Indralaya Toll Road and Patih Flyover will boost South Sumatra's economy
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Presiden: Tol Indralaya dan Flyover Patih akan angkat ekonomi Sumsel
27 October 2023
By: Tri Murti
Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is optimistic about the connectivity infrastructure Indralaya Interchange-Prabumulih Toll Road spanning 64.5 km and Patih Galung Flyover spanning 382 metres improving the economy of South Sumatra.
According to the Head of State, Indralaya Interchange-Prabumulih Toll Road was part of Trans-Sumatra Toll Road in South Sumatra that will improve the mobility of goods and services, which will boost economic growth and competitiveness.
“I gave the example last night when I met the public figures and the religious leaders. They said that, previously, traveling from Palembang to Lampung took 10 to 12 hours. Now, we can arrive in 3.5 hours,” President Jokowi said in his official statement after inaugurating Indralaya Interchange-Prabumulih Toll Road and Patih Galung Flyover on Thursday (26/10/2023).
According to the President, it is a significant change of speed. However, the achievement stated by President Jokowi is still far below other countries, such as China that has toll roads spanning around 280 thousand km.
“Our toll roads are still lacking. Until now, Indonesia has built 2,820 km of toll roads. Meanwhile, China has built 280 thousand kilometres [of toll roads]. It is not even a competition. So, it must be pursued so that we can compete with other countries,” he said.
According to the President, the construction of Indralaya Interchange-Prabumulih Toll Road worth Rp13.1 trillion that commenced in 2018 was not easy as the terrain is difficult.
“However, its benefit for the country and the people is extraordinary if we can increase productivity. It means the toll road must be connected to agriculture, tourism, plantation, and industrial areas,” the President said.
Moreover, Hutama Karya Corporate Secretary Executive Vice President Tjahjo Purnomo said that Indralaya Interchange-Prabumulih Toll Road has received an operational feasibility certificate from the Highways Directorate General of the Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry in July, and the toll road has been operating for free since 30 August 2023. The traffic volume of vehicles from the start of the operation (30/8/2023) to Monday (23/10/2023) surpassed Hutama Karya’s prediction as it reached 309,733 vehicles.
“Seeing the enthusiasm of the people, the toll road is expected to be the choice of the people on big days, such as on Christmas and New Year’s as well as during Eid homecoming,” he said.
He explained that the construction of Indralaya-Prabumulih Toll Road was the result of the collaboration established to realise construction acceleration with Hutama Karya’s subsidiaries, namely PT Hutama Karya Infrastruktur (HKI) and PT Hakaaston (HKA).
One of the interesting methods of the construction of Indralaya Interchange-Prabumulih Toll Road by HKI is the girder erection that uses the launcher method. The method is implemented in the Kelekar Bridge area that is quite difficult to be reached by cranes. The launcher method is chosen as it has a large pierhead dimension, which makes it impossible for a crane to be used.
“The toll road is sustained by various structural facilities, such as 2 interchanges, 8 overpasses, 18 bridges, 10 underpass boxes, 2 overpass boxes, 22 pedestrian boxes, 1 toll gate, and 1 pair of type-A rest areas. The speed expected to reach 100 km per hour,” Tjahjo said.
Very helpful
Meanwhile, Ronal, a citizen in Palembang who works as a driver, said that Indralaya-Palembang Toll Road and Patih Gulung Flyover were very helpful in accelerating the travel time from Palembang to Muara Enim.
“I work in Muara Enim, so I often go back and forth from Palembang. Before there was Patih Galung Flyover, traffic jams often occur. It is even worse if there is a coal train passing through, the queue can take up to half an hour or even an hour. Now, alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), there is no traffic jam near the railway tracks,” he stated.
He admits that, after Indralaya-Prabumulih Toll Road was completed, travel time from Palembang to Muara Enim only takes 2 hours. Previously, it took around 4 hours.
“Toll road construction is expected to continue to Muara Enim, so traveling from Palembang to Muara Enim can take less than 2 hours,” he said.
Meanwhile, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that, overall, Trans-Sumatra Toll Road spanning 2,749 km has 24 toll segments that consist of the backbone spanning 1,889 km and the supporting corridor spanning 860 km.
“Indralaya-Palembang Toll Road will support connectivity from Lampung in South Sumatra to Bengkulu, which will facilitate mobility and logistics to improve the economy of South Sumatra,” Minister Basuki said.
Previously, Highways Directorate General of the PUPR Ministry was targeting three toll segments of Trans-Sumatra Toll Road spanning 125 km to be completed and operate next year. Then, there are seven toll segments of JTTS spanning 337 km that are currently still in construction. The toll segments that are still in the planning process span 1,827 km, which are predicted to be completed after next year.
“There are nine toll segments spanning 1,827 km that are planned to be completed after financial year 2024,” Highways Director General Hedy Rahadian said recently.
Meanwhile, this year, Hedy is targeting five toll segments of JTTS spanning 192 km to be completed. The five toll segments are Kuala Tanjung-Tebing Tinggi-Parapat Toll Road Sections 1-4, Indrapura-Kisaran Toll Road Sections 1-2, Binjai-Langsa Toll Road Section 2, Bangkinang-Pangkalan Section of Pekanbaru-Padang Toll Road Stage 1, and Sigli-Banda Aceh Toll Road Section 1.
