Plan to build coal canal in South Kalimantan approved

South Kalimantan Governor Sjachriel Darham has approved a plan to build a canal which will be used to transport coal from Banjar regency to the nearby sea port, Banjarmasin Post reported on Wednesday.

Banjar regent Rudy Arifin said in Martapura on Tuesday that the governor?s approval letter would be sent to his office within the next two days.

The 27-kilometer canal which would connect Cintapuri village in Simpang Empat regency, Banjar and Cerbon district in Barito Kuala regency would be built by PD Baramarta in cooperation with PT Timah Bangka, he said.

He said that the Jakarta-based PT Virama which has been appointed as the consultant for the construction of the canal would begin a feasibility study this month. The canal project will cost about Rp 200 billion (US$=Rp10,400).

The regent said that although the canal would be built by the Banjar regency, the construction of the infrastructure of the project would involve related agencies from the provincial administration. (*)