Reconstruction in Indonesia quake area likely to cost $745 mln

The rehabilitation and reconstruction program in Indonesia's quake-stricken province of West Sumatra is estimated to cost 7 trillion rupiah (about 745 million U.S. dollars), local media the Jakarta Post reported on Monday.

"We have not set the actual budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction program, but for the time being it may cost 7 trillion rupiah," Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, was quoted as saying.

He made the remarks after he inspected the ongoing emergency response program with five other ministers in Padang, capital of West Sumatra, according to the report.

The city and nearby areas were jolted by a devastating earthquake on Sept. 30, leaving 1,117 people dead and over 134,000buildings destroyed.

According to Indonesian government, the rehabilitation and reconstruction works will be launched in the area on Nov. 1.

Source: Xinhua