REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Strengthening the railway network is crucial for reducing the road traffic on Java Island, stated Deputy Minister of Transportation Bambang Susantono on Tuesday.

"Road transport is widely used by people in Java. Strengthening the railway network is necessary to balance the burden on transportation," Bambang remarked during the work meeting.

The 727 km double track railway that stretches from Jakarta to Surabaya is expected to reduce road congestion.

The double track railway will additionally increase the train frequency and capacity to 300 percent, Susantono pointed out.

The Ministry expected the double track railway, stretching along the northern coast of Java, to be fully operational at the onset of 2014.

"The Jakarta-Surabaya rail link will become fully operational by the first quarter of 2014," the Deputy Minister remarked.

The construction of the double railway track is now 97 percent complete.

The Jakarta-Pekalongan section is currently operational.

"The Jakarta-Pekalongan railway can be used for transportation during Christmas and New Year," Susantono stated.

Meanwhile, construction in some areas such as Semarang and parts of Bojonegoro-Surabaya is still ongoing.

Once it is fully operational, the double railway track will be able to transfer the load of one million containers from road to railway transport, the Minister explained.

The Ministry is also working on the railway network on Sumatera Island, which will stretch from Aceh to Lampung.

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