Overcoming Traffic Congestion Without Reducing Production Capacity, Titan Infra Sejahtera's 118 KM Special Coal Road as a Solution

PALEMBANG, SOUTH SUMATRA — The province of South Sumatra (Sumsel) has finally found a solution to the decade-long issue of traffic congestion and road damage caused by coal transportation. A 118-kilometer (KM) dedicated road managed by PT Servo Lintas Raya—a subsidiary of PT Titan Infra Sejahtera (TIS)—is now fully operational. This infrastructure not only diverts coal trucks from public roads but also serves as the backbone for achieving Sumsel’s coal production target of 131 million tons by 2025. With coal reserves reaching 9.3 billion tons (25% of the national reserves), Sumsel is projected to be a key player in Indonesia’s coal industry, contributing 6% to global coal exports.

Two Decades of Infrastructure Challenges

Since the early 2000s, Sumsel has been one of the country’s major coal production centers. However, the massive mining activity was not accompanied by adequate transportation infrastructure. Trucks carrying 30-40 tons overloaded public roads, particularly along the Muara Enim-Lahat-Palembang route. As a result, roads such as the East Sumatra Highway suffered severe damage. Data from Sumsel’s Public Works Agency shows that 70% of road damage in the eastern part of the province was caused by coal trucks.

Bambang Sutrisno (52), a public transport driver in Muara Enim, complained: "Previously, traveling the 50 KM distance from Muara Enim to Lahat took 3-4 hours due to traffic jams and potholes. Coal trucks often parked carelessly and traveled in convoys, disregarding other vehicles."

The problem worsened as Sumsel’s coal production increased from 85 million tons in 2015 to 119 million tons in 2024. Without an infrastructure solution, traffic congestion was predicted to cost the regional economy up to IDR 1.2 trillion per year due to distribution delays and road maintenance expenses.

Legal Basis: Law No. 22/2009 and Commitment to Protect Public Roads

The establishment of the dedicated coal road aligns with Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation, particularly Article 123, which prohibits the use of public roads for large-scale mining commodity transportation. This regulation aims to protect road infrastructure from premature damage and enhance road user safety.

However, implementation has often been hindered by a lack of alternative infrastructure. In Sumsel, PT TIS addressed this challenge by constructing a dedicated road through its subsidiary, PT Servo Lintas Raya, which has been developed gradually since 2010. Yayan Suhendri, Head of Government Relations at PT Servo Lintas Raya, stated: "This is our commitment to supporting government regulations. Public roads should be for the people, not sacrificed for industrial interests."

Key Infrastructure: Route, Technology, and Investment

The dedicated road stretches from Muara Enim—Sumsel’s coal mining hub—to PT Swarnadwipa Dermaga Jaya’s Special Coal Port on the Musi River. Spanning three regencies (Muara Enim, Lahat, and PALI), the infrastructure was built with an investment of IDR 1.2 trillion. Its key technological features include:

• GPS Tracking System: Monitors truck speed, load, and position in real-time.
• Special Construction Materials: Asphalt layers up to 40 cm thick with polymer mix to withstand loads of up to 50 tons per truck.
• Monitoring Stations: 15 checkpoints along the route to inspect documents, loads, and truck conditions.

"We limit truck speeds to a maximum of 40 KM/hour and require special tires to reduce vibrations. Each truck is also monitored to ensure it does not exceed the designated load capacity," added Yayan.

Real Impact: 60% Reduction in Congestion and Increased Logistics Efficiency

Since becoming fully operational in January 2025, the dedicated road has reduced coal truck volume on public roads by 60%. In PALI Regency, previously one of the worst congestion points, public transport travel time has decreased from 2 hours to 30 minutes. Sumsel’s Transportation Agency recorded a 45% decrease in coal truck-related accidents in the last two months.

Logistics efficiency has also significantly improved. Whereas previously, trucks took 12 hours to reach the port, they now take only 6 hours. "This reduces operational costs by up to IDR 200,000 per truck per day," said Hendra Wijaya, Logistics Manager at PT Batubara Sumsel Energi.

For the local government, road maintenance cost savings amount to IDR 200 billion per year. "These funds can be redirected towards other infrastructure projects, such as bridges and schools," said Ahmad Syarifuddin, Head of Sumsel’s Public Works Agency.

Flyover at KM 48: Necessity vs. Efficiency

Despite reducing congestion, the project has faced criticism regarding the planned flyover construction at KM 48 in PALI Regency. The local government proposed the flyover to anticipate coal production surges expected to reach 150 million tons by 2026.

However, PT TIS believes that the flyover is not yet necessary. Based on traffic analysis, the current hauling route can accommodate 1,500-2,000 trucks per day. "We implement a time slot system: trucks from different mines are scheduled to pass at specific times to prevent bottlenecks," Yayan explained.

The Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of PALI insists on pushing the flyover as a long-term solution. "Coal mining in PALI continues to grow. We want to ensure that this dedicated road does not become a bottleneck in the future," stated Rudi Hartono, Chairman of DPRD PALI’s Infrastructure Commission.

Supporting National Targets: Sumsel as a Coal Export Hub

The dedicated road is key to achieving Sumsel’s coal production target of 131 million tons by 2025—an increase of 10% from the previous year. This figure contributes 22% to the national coal production target (600 million tons). Hijrah Yudha, Head of Sumsel’s Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, stated: "With this transportation efficiency, we are optimistic about attracting an additional IDR 5 trillion in investment for the mining sector."

Sumsel also plays a crucial role in Indonesia’s coal exports to Asian markets, including China, India, and Vietnam. Data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources shows that 65% of Sumsel’s coal is exported through Swarnadwipa Port, generating transactions worth USD 3.2 billion annually.

Environmental Challenges: Balancing Economy and Ecology

Despite its economic benefits, some parties warn of environmental impacts from the road’s operation. The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) reported increased air pollution along the hauling route, particularly in residential areas near Muara Enim.

PT Servo Lintas Raya claims to have implemented several mitigation measures:

• Planting 50,000 trembesi and mahogany trees along the road to absorb emissions.
• Installing dust monitoring devices at 10 high-risk points.
• Conducting eco-driving training for truck drivers to reduce carbon emissions.

"Trucks exceeding emission limits will be fined IDR 5 million and required to undergo regular maintenance," Yayan emphasized.

Future Plans: Integration with Toll Roads and Railways

Looking ahead, PT TIS plans to integrate the hauling route with the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road and PT Bukit Asam’s coal railway. This integration aims to create a multimodal transportation system that reduces dependency on highways.

The Ministry of Transportation supports this initiative. "This aligns with the National Railway Master Plan, where 30% of coal transport will be shifted to rail by 2030," said Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.

Private-Public Collaboration for Sustainable Development

The success of Sumsel’s dedicated coal road demonstrates that private-public collaboration can solve infrastructure issues while driving economic growth. The project not only preserves public roads but also creates jobs for 2,000 local residents, from truck drivers to road maintenance workers.

With clear regulations, technological innovations, and environmental commitments, Sumsel is on the right track to becoming Southeast Asia’s leading sustainable coal hub.