Indonesia’s longest toll road struggles to attract investors

Indonesia’s longest planned toll road, the Gedebage–Tasikmalaya–Cilacap (Getaci) project, has yet to secure investor interest due to weak traffic projections, the Public Works Ministry said.

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said the 206.65-km project has repeatedly failed to attract bidders, with investors deterred by limited expected usage.

“Usually, if a project we offer doesn’t attract much interest, it’s because the traffic is low,” he told reporters at the ministry’s office on April 10.

He said the government would typically provide financial support to improve a project’s viability, but current fiscal constraints have limited its ability to do so.

“If traffic is low, the government usually chips in to keep the project attractive. But with today’s budget limitations, that contribution has been set aside,” he added.

Read also: PUPR launches PQ for Gedebage-Ciamis toll road section

Instead, the ministry is prioritising other infrastructure projects, including the Cibeet and Cijurey dams, which are aimed at reducing flood risks in West Java’s industrial hubs such as Karawang and Bekasi.

Dody said the dams are targeted for phased completion between 2027 and 2028 to help mitigate recurring flooding.

The Getaci toll road has been listed as a National Strategic Project since 2020 but has failed several tender rounds and is currently under review ahead of a potential reoffering.

Another project facing similar challenges is the 96.84 km Gilimanuk–Mengwi toll road in Bali, which has also struggled to attract investors despite requiring an estimated Rp25.4 trillion in investment.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak