Expert says Jakarta suitable for subway<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The construction of a subway in Jakarta is
\ntechnically feasible, a Japanese expert has said.<\/p>\n
Misao Sugawara, a technical advisor at the Japanese Railway
\nBoard, said he saw no technical constraints to building a subway
\nsystem in Jakarta, Antara reported on Monday.<\/p>\n
The Tokyo University professor, a technical expert hired by
\nthe city administration to consult on the planned Blok M-Kota
\nsubway project, said the city's land structure is conducive for
\nthe construction of a subway, despite the fact that some areas
\nhave water sources and that the city is situated near the sea.<\/p>\n
He said that proper high-technology applications could
\novercome the problems by shifting the course of the water sources
\nand constructing a waterproof underground tunnel.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the chairman of the city's development board,
\nBudihardjo Sukmadi, who is also head of the subway project, said
\nJapan and Germany would fully support the construction of the
\nproject, especially the technological aspects.<\/p>\n
He said Japan is renowned in the world for its expertise in
\nbuilding underground tunnels. \"Even several European countries
\nhave adopted Japanese technology in building such structures,\" he
\ntold Antara in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
When completed, the mass rapid transit system, the first of
\nits kind ever built in Indonesia, will link the 15-kilometer
\nstretch from Blok M to Kota with stops at 15 stations.<\/p>\n
The city administration, with the private sector support of
\ndomestic and international companies, is conducting a feasibility
\nstudy by sending its officials in charge to Japan, Britain and
\nGermany for comparative studies. The city administration hopes to
\ncome up with a definite blueprint for the gigantic project by
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
The subway is expected to cost US$1.5 billion, with the funds
\ncoming from foreign loans and the city budget. The construction
\nis scheduled to commence in April 1997 and be completed in 2001.<\/p>\n
Members of the subway project team, together with several city
\ncouncilors from Commission D for development and transportation
\naffairs, went to Japan on a working visit from March 2O to March
\n23. During the visit they attended a discussion on the operation
\nof subways in metropolitan Tokyo.<\/p>\n
Vice Speaker of the Jakarta City Council Syamsul Supriyatna
\nsaid that Jakarta and its population of nearly 10 million people
\nwill need a subway system if the capital's infamous bumper-to-
\nbumper traffic is ever to be alleviated. (bas\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-says-jakarta-suitable-for-subway-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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