ULM Academic Highlights Certainty of Railway Development Policy in Kalimantan
Banjarmasin – Dr. Eng. Akbar Rahman, ST., MT., an academic from Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) and lecturer in the Architecture Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, ULM, believes that the main problem with railway development in Kalimantan lies not in technical obstacles, but rather in the certainty of policy and development direction from the central government.
This view was expressed by Dr. Akbar Rahman, an urban planning observer, in a review published in the December 16, 2025, edition of the Banjarmasin Post. He emphasized that the peatland conditions in Kalimantan should not be the main reason for delaying railway construction. He believes that construction engineering for peat areas is already available and widely implemented in various countries, including through piling systems and other technical approaches.
The ULM academic explained that transportation infrastructure—from roads, railways, ports, and airports—is the backbone of regional economic growth. Without adequate infrastructure support, development in Kalimantan risks continuing to lag behind other regions in Indonesia.
Based on regional characteristics, South Kalimantan is considered to have diverse soil conditions, allowing for gradual railway construction. In areas with hard soil and shallow peat, development can be prioritized first. Meanwhile, in areas with thick peat, such as Banjarmasin City, development is still possible using a special, technically proven construction approach.
Dr. Akbar emphasized that the fundamental problem currently lies in the lack of commitment and certainty regarding the railway development roadmap in Kalimantan. If the project is not yet a national priority, he argued, the central government needs to communicate this openly to the public to avoid raising expectations without clarity on timelines and stages.
Furthermore, he encouraged regional governments not to passively await central government decisions. Preparing technical studies, land preparation, and planning for the integration of railway lines with ports and industrial areas is considered crucial and must be prepared early. This will give regions a stronger bargaining position when national policies begin to focus on equitable development.
Through this critical perspective, Lambung Mangkurat University emphasizes its academic role as a scientific reference for strategic regional development issues. The thoughts of Dr. Eng. Akbar Rahman is expected to provide constructive input for policymakers so that national development, especially in Kalimantan, can be more equitable, targeted, and sustainable.
