Ngurah Rai Airport Expansion Faces Opposition: Bali

By Barrie | October 3rd, 2007 | No Comments

Bali Governor Dewa Beratha has given a green light to state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura I to expand the busy Ngurah Rai airport to cope with growing numbers of visitors to Bali. But it’s no guarantee the plan will come off easily — especially in view of the inevitable environmental and social consequences.

“The plan will likely face strong opposition from the Balinese people,” Ketut Wirya, an expert at the Culture and Tourism Ministry said.

He added that despite fresh indications of support given by the governor and by Vice President Jusuf Kalla during his latest visit to the airport, the plan remains controversial.

The planned extension of the airport’s runway from 3,000 meters to 3,600 meters is destined to run into either sensitive mangrove forests, the Ngurah Rai expressway or — perhaps worst of all — the sea. This third option might be the most costly, financially and environmentally.

The expansion is estimated to cost Rp 1.5 trillion (US$1.6 billion).
Referring to the master plan for expansion, Angkasa Pura’s operational director Risman Nuryadin said the mangrove forest to the east of the airport would have to be sacrificed. But he acknowledged further discussion with local authorities was in order.

Environmental Education Center director Catur Yudha Hariani said the declining mangrove forest was too precious and important to be sacrificed for the sake of tourism.

“The administration really needs to think carefully about this,” she said, adding that it was an irony that the plan to clear the mangrove forest came amid rising concerns about global warming and Bali’s vulnerability to tsunamis.

“The mangroves are the lungs of Denpasar and Badung regencies on which the traditional fishermen rely on for their livelihood. I’d prefer to see the tourists queuing to enter Bali than give up our forests,” she said.

Apart from the environmental consequences, Wirya said religious leaders would not be enthusiastic about the proposed expressway overpass.

“The construction of a flyover will surely spark controversy as it is religiously forbidden, he said. “It won’t be easy to persuade the Balinese when it concerns culture and religious beliefs.”

The Balinese have generally opposed flyover construction as it is felt that profane buildings should not exceed the 15 meter height of sacred temples.

Exeptions are made only for special buildings and for security or environmental reasons. Some houses are allowed to be higher than temples so long as they have no balcony.

Risman said the company did not oppose criticism from the tourism industry and the Balinese authorities regarding the expansion, but stressed that it had not yet reached a final decision on the technical aspects of the plan.

Risman said the company would have to discuss the matter with Bali province authorities and those from Badung regency before execution.

“This is important. We need to sit down together with the Balinese community leaders to talk about possible alternatives,” he said.

The Ngurah Airport needs to expand its runway in order to accommodate large aircraft — like the Airbus 380 — which are crucial if the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the island is to grow.

Between 9,500 and 10,000 passengers transit through the airport daily.

Wirya suggested that instead of expanding the Ngurah Rai airport located in already-crowded Badung regency, the government should consider establishing new international airports in Jembrana or Buleleng.

“There is sufficient land there to build a long runway,” he said.

However, Risman said that, despite certain advantages, the company regarded the establishment of new airports as impractical due to cost and the comprehensive studies that would be required before going ahead.

Governor Dewa Beratha has also dismissed the suggestion that new airports could be built — as long as expansion of Ngurah Rai airport remains possible.

Ary Hermawan