Amidst plans for the controversial Benoa Bay reclamation project that would see the construction of Dubai-esque artificial islands in south Bali, developers are also looking to throw in a new point of interest, a “hangout spot” off the toll.
Because Bali doesn’t have enough places to hangout at, apparently.
Bali Mandara Toll Manager, PT Jasa Marga Tol (JBT) Bali, has sketched out the concept where the point of interest would be built at the intersection of the Nusa Dua-Benoa and Tuban arms of the toll road.
The concept published by Merdeka oddly resembles the scandalous death-causing Qatar World Cup stadium (except the shape is apparently of a turtle and not a woman’s nether regions).
The toll manger says that while they’ve got their plans outlined, they are still waiting for government permission to build.
The aforementioned proposed Benoa Bay reclamation has been highly controversial with much outcry from the Balinese, who have warned of the flooding and other irreversible destruction to the environment that would occur if and when the project is allowed to go through.
In anticipation of similar protests, JBT claims the public has nothing to worry about for the new point of interest project.
“We ask that people do not fret and panic. Because the construction will be exactly the building of the Bali Mandara Toll Road,” President Director of JBT Bali Akhmad Tito Karim said on Monday, as quoted by Merdeka.
“This will not damage the environment. This has already been planned since the initial creation of the toll road,” Karim added.
The project is in the process of obtaining a license from the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT), so the design is not final, Karim explained.
The point of interest will be a place for recreation, including a cafeteria and minimarket. Visitors can enjoy looking out at the mangrove forest, sunset and sunrise over the ocean, planes going and coming, cruise ships, as well as fishermen, according to Karim.
JBT spokesman Drajad Hari Suseno says the space will use an estimated area of 30 thousand square meters.
“The concept is to make a place to relax with supplemental facilities owned by the toll road. We’re sure not going to change the function of the toll road as a solution to contestation and a connection between Kuta, Sanur, and Nusa Dua,” Suseno told Merdeka.
