AMLAPURA

Karangasem legislators are unhappy that the new cruise terminal at Tanah Ampo near Padang Bai, meant to accommodate growing numbers of cruise ships that want to call at Bali but built to short and in too shallow water to handle big liners, is apparently still no closer to completion.

Vice chairman of the Karangasem house of representatives I Nyoman Karya Kartika, who led the inspection, said immediate dredging was required or a further extension of the wharf.

But he also warned against the possible environmental risks of dredging Tanah Ampo.

Commission II chairman in the Karangasem legislature, Nyoman Oka Antara, who was also on the inspection tour, said the regency authorities had not fully consulted with cruise ship operators or the local travel industry.