Kalimantan to develop new waterway for coal shipment

After a delay of almost a year, the government of the Banjar regency in South Kalimantan is expected to soon realize its plan to develop a waterway that will be specially designed for the shipment of coal from the regency?s mining areas, Banjarmasin Pos reported Monday.

Banjar?s regent Rudy Ariffin said that the 27-km and 30-meter width canal that would be built along several villages in Simpang district and Cerebon area was now under a feasibility study.

?After the assessment is completed, the construction of the waterway will be soon commenced, and it is expected to be completed within three years,? he said, adding that when the project was completed, all the coal transportation which had caused serious traffic problem would carried out through the planned waterway.

The plan was first unveiled almost a year ago but the project was opposed by the provincial administration of South Kalimantan. According to the provincial administration, the project should be carried under its direct supervision. (*)