An Impasse at the Bali Underpass

A Land Dispute Threatens Construction of Bali’s Simpang Siur Underpass Project.

(2/4/2012)

Radar Bali reports that the development of the Simpang Siur underpass project may be complicated by an ongoing dispute over the acquisition of a single remaining parcel of land necessary for the construction of the project deemed critical to reducing traffic congestion in Bali.

An unnamed source told Radar Bali, ‘the project cannot be fully commenced, there’s still land ensnarled in a dispute.”

This fact was confirmed by the vice-chairman of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), Ketut Suwandhi, who told Radar Bali a single piece of land remains in dispute.

Although a Rp. 1.2 billion (US$133,000) price per are (100 square meters) price was agreed, the ownership of the subject parcel is being litigated between contesting heirs.

The government team assigned to acquire private lands to allow the underpass project to go ahead is now compelled to wait for the courts to decide who is the rightful owner of the subject parcel of land.

Those in charge of the project are seeking a legal means to place the purchase price in a secure deposit that can be awarded once the courts determine who is the rightful owner of the parcel of land.

Efforts by Radar Bali to contact the head of the the National Roadway Construction Agency for the province, Susalit Alius, for comment were unsuccessful.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has designated the completion of the Bali underpass project as critical to the APEC Summit set to be held in Bali in 2013.

Source: Bali Discovery.com