The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) has constructed the Papua cross-border road as part of the effort to strengthen the border territory between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The budget for the construction project has totalled IDR 1.283 trillion.
The PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono has stated that the challenges in developing the cross-border road are security disruptions, natural conditions which are still mostly forested and mountainous, as well as bad weather. In addition, the limited construction materials as well difficult to access areas means that logistics and labour are tough to obtain.
“This work is done gradually considering the terrain that needs to be crossed is very challenging since it passes through steep mountains and thick forests which make it difficult for the workers and equipment mobilization,” explained the Minister in his written statement on Friday (31/03).
Director General of Highways Hedy Rahadian said that the Papua Border Road Development is divided into 3 segments. Segment 1 Jayapura – Arso – Waris – Yeti with a length of 127.56 km, Segment 2 Yeti – Ubrub – Oksibil along 302.36 km, and Segment 3 Oksibil – Tanah Merah – Muting – Merauke along 668.41 km.
“Currently, the physical progress of the construction of Segment 1 Jayapura – Arso – Waris – Yeti has reached 100%. Meanwhile, Segment 2 Yeti – Ubrub – Oksibil has reached 49.10%. For Segment 3 Oksibil – Tanah Merah – Muting – Merauke has reached 87.02%. So that the total border road in Papua that has been built is 944.44 km,” explained Hedy.
The implementation of Papua border road construction in Segments 1-3 from the period 2015 – 2022 with a budget of Rp 1.283 trillion and targeted for gradual completion of development with a target road condition at the end of 2024 is 146.79 km of forest, 181.86 km of dirt road and 769.68 km of asphalt road.
“In addition to strengthening the border territory between countries, the construction of the Papua Border Road aims to open up isolated areas and facilitate connectivity of regional economic centres so as to facilitate the transportation of goods and people which will have an impact on reducing the prices of goods and services in Papua,” concluded Hedy.
West Papua Now 