Election campaigns the world over are full of promises; better economies, building walls, knocking them down, more jobs, less taxes - the list is a long one.

It's common for candidates running for public office to tap into popular sentiments and say the right things at the right time to help them get elected. However, once the results are in those same promises are rarely, if ever, addressed to the satisfaction of the people who voted them in.

This year's Gubernatorial elections in Bali could be more of the same or a sign of change and a new direction for the island, as calls grow stronger to close the conspicuous gap between the development and financial prosperity of the island's south with the rest of the island.

A key topic around this has been a new airport on Bali's north coast, which it is hoped would go a long way to address this imbalance. 

Two candidates for the position of Governor and Vice-Governor of Bali, Ida Bagus Mantra and Ketut Sudikerta (commonly referred to as Kerta), have publicly expressed their support of the development of a new north Bali airport, which Gapura Bali recently reported on.

Kerta was quoted by Antara as saying in order for the new airport project to be successful it must run in tandem with the construction of expressways, sport tourism, world trade centers, yacht harbors monorails and train links. 

According to Bali Tribun, a feasibility study has already been done for a proposed north-south rail link connecting Denpasar to Singaraja, (called Mengwitani-Sukasada) and it is currently being surveyed and socialized to those who would be affected by its construction, but a final decision on whether the project actually goes ahead or not is waiting for a decision from the new governor.

There are seven proposed rail links currently being discussed.

According to a recent report in Nusa Bali, a Ministry of Transportation railway master plan (Ripnas) drafted in 2013, earmarks these as connecting Tabanan to Seririt; Gilimanuk on the west coast to Singaraja on the north coast; Gilimanuk to Bali's capital of Denpasar; Denpasar to Padang Bai on the east coast; Padang Bai to Singaraja on the north coast; Denpasar to Singaraja via Bedugul and the Sarbagita crossing connecting Denpasar with Bangli, Gianyar and Tabanan.

There is however, opposition to the railway plans taking priority. Some are suggesting that developing roads instead of railways would be a better option. The final decision however, will rest with those who win the race in June.

Sources: Nusa Bali, Bali Tribun, Liputan 6, Antara

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