Overcoming Traffic Congestion and Infrastructure Damage with Titan Infra Sejahtera’s 118 KM Coal Transport Road

The province of South Sumatra (Sumsel) has long faced infrastructure challenges due to intensive coal transportation activities. For two decades, public roads in the region have suffered severe damage, while congestion has hindered public mobility and logistical efficiency. Now, a solution has emerged through a 118-kilometer (KM) dedicated coal transport road managed by PT Servo Lintas Raya—a subsidiary of PT Titan Infra Sejahtera (TIS). This infrastructure not only diverts coal truck traffic from public roads but also serves as a key driver in achieving South Sumatra’s coal production target of 131 million tons by 2025. With coal reserves reaching 9.3 billion tons (25% of the national reserves), South Sumatra is projected to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a contributor to 6% of global coal exports.

Background: Two Decades of Infrastructure Damage

Since the early 2000s, South Sumatra has developed into one of the national coal production centers. However, production growth, which reached 119 million tons in 2024, has not been matched with adequate transportation infrastructure. Trucks carrying 30–40 tons of coal have crowded public roads, particularly on the Muara Enim–Lahat–Palembang route. According to the South Sumatra Public Works Agency, 70% of road damage in the province’s eastern region is caused by coal transportation activities.

Bambang Sutrisno (52), a public transport driver in Muara Enim Regency, expressed his frustration: “Previously, traveling 50 KM from Muara Enim to Lahat took 3–4 hours due to traffic congestion and potholes. Coal trucks often parked carelessly or moved in convoys without considering other road users.”

Without intervention, this problem is predicted to cause regional economic losses of up to IDR 1.2 trillion per year due to distribution delays and rising road maintenance costs.

Legal Basis and Commitment of PT Titan Infra Sejahtera

The existence of this dedicated coal transport 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 public infrastructure from premature damage while enhancing road safety.

PT TIS responded to this challenge by constructing a dedicated road through its subsidiary, PT Servo Lintas Raya, which has been developed in phases 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

This dedicated road stretches from Muara Enim—the coal mining hub of South Sumatra—to PT Swarnadwipa Dermaga Jaya’s Special Coal Port on the Musi River. Spanning three regencies (Muara Enim, Lahat, and PALI), the project was built with an investment of IDR 1.2 trillion and features state-of-the-art technology:

• GPS Tracking System: Monitors truck speed, load, and position in real-time to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Special Construction Materials: Asphalt with a thickness of 40 cm and a polymer blend designed to withstand loads of up to 50 tons per truck.
• Monitoring Posts: 15 checkpoints equipped with load testing and vehicle condition assessment tools.

“We limit truck speeds to a maximum of 40 KM/hour and require special tires to reduce vibrations. Any violation of load limits will be penalized,” Yayan explained.

Positive Impacts: Reduced Congestion and Improved Logistics Efficiency

Since becoming fully operational in January 2025, this dedicated road has reduced coal truck traffic on public roads by 60%. In PALI Regency—which previously had the worst traffic congestion—public transport travel time has decreased from 2 hours to just 30 minutes. The South Sumatra Transportation Agency recorded a 45% reduction in coal truck-related accidents within the first two months of operation.

Logistics efficiency has also improved significantly. Previously, trucks took 12 hours to reach the port, but now the travel time has been reduced to just 6 hours. Hendra Wijaya, Logistics Manager at PT Batubara Sumsel Energi, stated: “This cuts operational costs by up to IDR 200,000 per truck per day.”

For local governments, the road maintenance budget savings amount to IDR 200 billion per year. Ahmad Syarifuddin, Head of the South Sumatra Public Works Agency, added: “These funds can be redirected to building educational and healthcare infrastructure.”

Flyover Controversy at KM 48: Necessity vs. Analysis

Despite its success in reducing congestion, the project has faced criticism over plans to construct a flyover at KM 48 in PALI Regency. The local government proposed the flyover to anticipate the projected increase in coal production to 150 million tons by 2026.

However, PT TIS believes that a flyover is not yet urgent. Traffic analysis shows that the current hauling route can accommodate 1,500–2,000 trucks per day. “We implement a time-slot system to schedule trucks from different mines, preventing congestion,” Yayan explained.

On the other hand, the PALI Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) continues to push for the flyover as a long-term solution. Rudi Hartono, Chairman of the Infrastructure Commission at DPRD PALI, stated: “We want to ensure that this dedicated road does not become a bottleneck when production increases.”

Environmental Impact and Mitigation Efforts

The operation of this dedicated road has not escaped environmental criticism. The South Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) reported an increase in air pollution along the hauling route, particularly in residential areas near Muara Enim.

PT Servo Lintas Raya claims to have implemented mitigation measures, including:

• 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 to reduce carbon emissions.

“Trucks exceeding emission limits will be fined IDR 5 million and required to undergo regular servicing,” Yayan emphasized.

Integration with Toll Roads and Railways

Going forward, PT TIS plans to integrate the hauling route with the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road and the coal railway network owned by PT Bukit Asam. This integration is expected to create a multimodal transportation system that reduces reliance on highways.

The Ministry of Transportation has welcomed this initiative. “This aligns with the National Railway Master Plan, which aims to shift 30% of coal transportation to rail by 2030,” said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi.

Public-Private Collaboration

The success of this project demonstrates that public-private collaboration can address infrastructure challenges while driving economic growth. In addition to preserving public roads, this project has created 2,000 jobs for local residents, from truck drivers to road maintenance workers.

Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, stated: “This is an example of responsible mining industry operations. This model is worth adopting in other provinces such as East Kalimantan and West Sumatra.”

Towards a Sustainable Coal Hub in Southeast Asia

With regulatory support, technological innovation, and environmental commitment, South Sumatra is on the right track to becoming a leading sustainable coal hub in Southeast Asia. This dedicated coal transport road not only addresses infrastructure issues but also strengthens South Sumatra’s role in the global coal export market—without compromising public and environmental interests.

Collaboration among stakeholders is key to achieving balanced development between economic, social, and ecological aspects. This initiative is expected to serve as an inspiration for other regions in responsibly managing natural resources.