Jakarta: Indonesia is exploring potential investment from Russia and China to develop the proposed Trans-Kalimantan railway network as both countries have indicated interest in the ambitious infrastructure project. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the government had begun discussions with prospective domestic and foreign investors, including those from Russia and China, following President Prabowo Subianto's directive to develop the Trans-Kalimantan and Trans-Sumatra railway networks.

According to Nam News Network, prospective investors from Russia and China appeared more interested in the Kalimantan project, while state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) was more inclined towards developing logistics-related rail infrastructure in Sumatra. Communication has taken place as they are evaluating the project and will later submit proposals.

The proposed Trans-Kalimantan railway network is expected to span approximately 2,772 kilometers across the island, while the Trans-Sumatra project is intended to connect Banda Aceh in the north with Bandar Lampung in the south, according to earlier reports by Antara. Dudy said the government had yet to determine which of the two railway projects would proceed first, as this would depend on investors' assessments of which was more feasible.

He added that KAI had prepared a roadmap for the two railway networks, noting that parts of the rail infrastructure in Sumatra were already in place and primarily needed to be connected, while the Trans-Kalimantan network would have to be developed from the ground up.