Japan supports Indonesia to build high-speed rail line in capital
The Japanese government announced on May 13 that it will provide a loan of approximately 140.7 billion JPY (900 million USD) to construct a high-speed rail line in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdul Kadir Jailani (right), and Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masaki Yasushi (right) signed the Exchange of Notes (E/N) regarding provision of yen loan for the "Jakarta MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) East-West Line Plan Phase 1" project, Jakarta, on May 13. (Photo: ANTARA/HO-Japanese Embassy in Jakarta)
Jakarta (VNA) – The Japanese government announced on May 13 that it will provide a loan of approximately 140.7 billion JPY (900 million USD) to construct a high-speed rail line in Jakarta, Indonesia.
According to the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, the construction of the East-West rail project, spanning 84.1 km and divided into two phases, is expected to commence in 2026 and be completed by 2031.
The new rail line will use Japanese technology for trains and signaling systems.
The city of Jakarta is facing serious traffic congestion and air pollution due to rapid economic growth and population development.
Under Indonesia's subway system project, the construction of the 15.7 km North-South line began in 2019, also with fi༒nancial support from the Japanese government./.
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