President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked related government officials to complete the beautification of the main roads leading to the Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara, by February 2022.
After hosting the WSBK championship at the end of 2021, the next major event that will be hosted by the Mandalika Circuit will be the 2022 Indonesian Grand Prix MotoGP championship in March.
“We hope visitors will enjoy the beauty and aesthetic panorama on their way from the airport to the Mandalika Circuit. Hence, we must prepare for this, and I expect it to be completed by February,” the President said after reviewing the condition of the bypass road to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone in Central Lombok District on Thursday.
Jokowi drove from Zainuddin Abdul Majid International Airport to Mandalika Circuit on his own Kawasaki W175 custom motorcycle to test the road leading to the circuit.
He also instructed officials to plant trees and shrubs, such as bougainvillea, golden trumpet, Terminalia trees, and blackboard trees, along the roads leading to the circuit to beautify them.
Besides inspecting the condition of the bypass road, the President also reviewed the progress of preparations at the bypass road roundabout, Jokowi Hill, and Sunggung roundabout.
“I have observed the bypass road’s condition from the airport to the Mandalika area, and my observation focused on its landscape beauty and aesthetic aspect. The work has proceeded for only a week, but I can see the progress already,” he said.
The President also expressed the hope that the works in the Mandalika Circuit and its periphery will not only cater to international championships and visitors, but will also benefit locals.
“We also want Mandalika to not only cater to motorcycle racing but also bring a positive economic effect for locals. Some villages have also hosted homestays, which the regional government has built with the central government’s support, and around 300 homestays are ready for now,” he remarked.
Source: Antara News