South Sumatra Coal Infrastructure Transformation with 118 KM Dedicated Road Boosts Production and Reduces Environmental Impact

Palembang, January 15, 2025 — After 15 years of phased construction, the 118-kilometer (KM) dedicated coal road in South Sumatra (Sumsel) has officially become fully operational. Managed by PT Servo Lintas Raya—a subsidiary of PT Titan Infra Sejahtera (TIS)—this Rp1.2 trillion infrastructure is a solution to chronic traffic congestion and a catalyst for achieving South Sumatra's coal production target of 131 million tons by 2025. This road not only diverts 60% of coal truck traffic from public roads but also strengthens Indonesia's position as the sixth-largest coal exporter in the world, with South Sumatra's reserves reaching 9.3 billion tons (25% of national reserves).

A New Era of Coal Transportation: Ending Two Decades of Infrastructure Crisis

Since the 2000s, South Sumatra has been the backbone of national coal production. However, the growth of this industry has not been matched by adequate infrastructure development. Trucks carrying 30-40 tons of cargo have continuously eroded the asphalt roads on the Muara Enim-Lahat-Palembang route, which were only designed for an 8-ton load. Data from the South Sumatra Public Works (PU) Department shows that 70% of road damage in the eastern region of the province is caused by coal truck operations.

Bambang Sutrisno (52), a public transport driver in Muara Enim, recounts the bitter road conditions before the dedicated road: "In the past, a 50 KM journey from Muara Enim to Lahat could take 3-4 hours. Potholed roads, haphazardly parked trucks, and traffic jams were a daily sight. Often, car engines would break down due to overheating."

The crisis worsened as South Sumatra's coal production surged from 85 million tons (2015) to 119 million tons (2024). A study by the South Sumatra Regional Government projects that, without intervention, economic losses due to congestion and road repair costs would reach Rp1.2 trillion per year.

Technological Innovation: Smart Asphalt to Real-Time Monitoring Systems

This dedicated coal road was built in response to the mandate of Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation, particularly Article 123, which prohibits large-scale mining transport on public roads. PT TIS designed this infrastructure with cutting-edge technology to address the complexities of coal logistics. The 118 KM road stretches from Muara Enim—the densest mining area—to the PT Swarnadwipa Dermaga Jaya Special Coal Port on the Musi River, crossing three districts: Muara Enim, Lahat, and PALI.

Key features of this project include:

• 40 CM Polymer Asphalt Layer: Made from materials that can withstand loads of up to 60 tons, with 3x longer durability than conventional asphalt.
• Integrated Truck Management System: Real-time GPS tracking monitors the speed, load, and position of 2,000 trucks per day, supported by a scheduling algorithm (time slot) to avoid congestion.
• 15 Multifunctional Monitoring Posts: Each post is equipped with a team that checks documents, overloads, and the technical condition of trucks.

"We enforce strict rules: a maximum speed of 40 KM/hour, mandatory use of special tires, and a Rp5 million fine for load violations," emphasized Yayan Suhendri, Head of Government Relations at PT Servo Lintas Raya.

Economic Impact: Trillion-Rupiah Savings and Increased Competitiveness

In the first two months of operation, the dedicated road immediately showed tangible results:

• Reduction of Truck Volume on Public Roads: 60% of coal truck traffic was diverted to the dedicated road.
• Travel Time Efficiency: The journey from PALI to Muara Enim, which previously took 2 hours, now only takes 30 minutes.
• Accident Reduction: The number of coal truck accidents decreased by 45% thanks to the strict monitoring system.
• Logistics Cost Savings: Companies save Rp200,000 per truck per day due to travel time efficiency (from 12 hours to 6 hours).

"This is a major breakthrough. Logistics cost savings allow us to allocate funds for mine expansion and improved coal processing technology," said Hendra Wijaya, Logistics Manager at PT Batubara Sumsel Energi.

For the government, this project saves up to Rp200 billion per year in road repair budgets. "We diverted those funds to build 10 schools and 2 bridges in remote areas," explained Ahmad Syarifuddin, Head of the South Sumatra PU Department.

KM 48 Flyover Debate: Between Needs and Efficiency

Despite receiving praise, this project has not been without criticism. The PALI Regency Government proposed the construction of a flyover at KM 48 to anticipate a surge in coal production to 150 million tons by 2026. However, PT TIS considers this proposal not yet a priority.

"Based on traffic analysis, this dedicated road can accommodate 2,000 trucks per day. The time slot system we implemented is sufficient to regulate vehicle flow," said Yayan. On the other hand, Rudi Hartono, Chairman of the PALI DPRD Infrastructure Commission, argued: "A flyover is needed so that the dedicated road does not become a new congestion point when production increases."

Environmental Commitment: From Greening to Emission Reduction

The operation of this dedicated road also poses environmental challenges. A report by the South Sumatra Environmental Forum (WALHI) noted a 20% increase in dust pollution in settlements around Muara Enim since the project began. PT Servo Lintas Raya responded with a series of mitigation measures:

• Planting 50,000 Trees: Trembesi and mahogany trees were planted along the road to absorb carbon emissions.
• Air Quality Sensors: 10 dust sensors were installed at vulnerable points to monitor pollution in real-time.
• Eco-Driving Training: 1,500 truck drivers were trained in environmentally friendly driving techniques to reduce exhaust emissions.

"Trucks that exceed the emission limit must undergo periodic maintenance and are subject to a Rp5 million fine," emphasized Yayan.

Multimodal Integration: Toward Integrated Coal Logistics

In the future, PT TIS plans to integrate this dedicated road with a multimodal transportation network, including the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road and the PT Bukit Asam coal railway line. This integration is expected to increase coal transport capacity by up to 40% and reduce reliance on trucks.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi expressed his support: "This is in line with the government's target to increase the proportion of coal transport via rail to 30% by 2030."

Private-Government Collaboration: Thousands of Jobs Created

This project not only solved infrastructure problems but also created 2,000 local jobs, including truck drivers, technicians, monitoring post officers, and environmental experts. "This is an example of ideal collaboration between the private sector and the government that should be replicated in other mining areas, such as East Kalimantan," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif.

With regulatory support, technological innovation, and environmental commitment, South Sumatra is now on the right track to become a leading sustainable coal center in Southeast Asia. Hijrah Yudha, Head of the South Sumatra ESDM Department, expressed optimism: "This project is expected to attract additional investment of Rp5 trillion by 2025, strengthening South Sumatra's position as a regional energy hub."

Building a Balance Between Economy and Ecology

The South Sumatra dedicated coal road is not just an infrastructure project but tangible proof that extractive industries can go hand in hand with environmental sustainability. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, this initiative has successfully turned challenges into opportunities, benefiting the economy, society, and the ecosystem. The success of this project sets a precedent for other regions to emulate similar models, affirming that industrial growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive.