Construction Work Officially Begins On Bali’s Urban Rail Network

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The first stone has officially been laid for the much anticipated Bali Urban Rail Network Project.

The land blessing ceremony was attended by political and spiritual leaders in Bali and was held at the Kuta Parking Center at a depth of 30m. 

The Bali Urban Rail Network is set to completely change the way in which both local residents and tourists travel around South Bali.

The project has been identified as one of the most impactful ways to deal with Bali’s traffic congestion issues in the long term. The multi-billion dollar initiative will take years to complete. 

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On Wednesday 4th, September the Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, joined with the Regent of Badung, Nyoman Giri Prasta, spiritual leaders and representative for PT Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya (PT SBDJ), and PT Bumi Indah Prima, to take part in the laying of the first stone; a ceremony in Bali known as Ngeruak. The ceremony was led by Ida Ratu Peranda Geriya Gulingan.

The President Director of PT SBDJ explained, “This Ngeruak ceremony was then accompanied by cleaning the yard, then measuring the land.”

The financial backers and the construction companies set to bring this project to life have finally been revealed in full.

It is now clear that the tenders for the Bali Urban Rail Network, awarded by the Bali Provincial Government, have been facilitated by PT SBDJ, who have identified PT Indotek as the main contractor with China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). The company will collaborate with the local contractor PT Sinar Bali Bina Karya (Sinar Bali).

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The President Director, Ari, continued, “We chose CRCC because it has a reputation as a global train transportation contractor with experience in building 200 thousand kilometers in more than 100 countries. Meanwhile, PT Sinar Bali Bina Karya is a local contractor in Bali that has been providing the best ready mix and precast in Bali since 1995.”

Ari added, “The selection of PT Sinar Bali as a local contractor is also a realization of the commitment of the PT SBDJ and PT BIP Consortium to empower and develop Bali’s native human resources.”

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It is important for the public to note which company will be responsible for which aspects of the project.

In the past, when huge tenders have been won by development companies, the projects have often been stalled, delayed, or even canceled down the line due to funding constraints, such as with the Gilimanuk-Mengwi Toll Road, which was put back up for tender just months after construction work began.

Ari revealed, “It is expected that the entire phase one and phase two will be fully operational by the end of 2031.”

The first phase of the project is expected to be the slowest since the majority of the work involves creating the tunnels for the underground rail network.

Plans show that phase one of the railway line will operate from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Kuta Central Parking to Seminyak to Berawa and onward to Cemagi with a total length of 16 kilometers.

Subsequently, phase two will be a circular line from I Gusti Ngurah Rai to Jimbaran to Ubud to Nusa Dua Airport. It will be 13.5 km long, with a possible stop in Sanur, too.

Ari continued to explain, “In order to maintain the momentum of high expectations of the Balinese people towards the solution to severe congestion and already above tolerance, we will bring ten Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) for this project, which is fully funded by PT BIP as a partner investor.”

Speaking to reporters in response to concerns that the building project would have an impact on existing infrastructure used by residents, the Managing Director of PT SBDJ, Pasek Senjaya, explained he and his teams are ready to collaborate with the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) to ensure freshwater supplies are not impacted during the tunneling works.

He shared, “This step will ensure that the community still has access to clean water and help prevent groundwater decline and pollution.”

“This effort will also prevent potential leakage of clean water pipe distribution so that the distribution becomes more efficient and optimal.”