Jakarta dreams of using rivers for traffics<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration hopes to make use of the city's rivers
\nas part of an integrated transportation system for the capital.<\/p>\n
Plans for using the rivers as part of the city's
\ntransportation system are included in a draft bylaw on an
\nintegrated transportation system for Jakarta, which is being
\ndiscussed by the City Council and relevant agencies in the
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
The administration would begin the experiment with a pilot
\nproject on the Ciliwung River, which flows from Pasar Baru in
\nCentral Jakarta to Ancol in North Jakarta. During the Dutch
\ncolonial era this river was an important artery in the city.<\/p>\n
The assistant to the city secretary for development affairs,
\nIrzal Djamal, said on Monday the City Public Works Agency had
\nbeen ordered to begin preparations for the project, including
\nconducting a feasibility study to determine which rivers were
\nsuitable for transportation.<\/p>\n
\"We are not in a hurry (for the project). We believe the
\nrivers in Jakarta have the potential to be developed into an
\nalternative means of transportation in the city. We are very
\nserious about developing this,\" said Irzal, who is in charge of
\ndeveloping the city's transportation concept.<\/p>\n
Unlike in Singapore, where the rivers serve only as tourist
\nattractions, Jakarta hopes to integrate its rivers into the
\ncity's overall transportation system.<\/p>\n
Plans for river transportation are being discussed as the
\nadministration continues to seek solutions to the capital's
\ntransportation woes.<\/p>\n
City Transportation Agency head Rustam Effendi said there were
\nnumerous large waterways in Jakarta that could be integrated into
\nthe transportation system, including the Cengkareng Drain, Cakung
\nDrain and the West Flood Canal.<\/p>\n
\"The West Flood Canal will soon be combined with the East
\nFlood Canal and it has the potential to serve as river
\ntransportation,\" he said on the sidelines of a hearing with the
\nCity Council to discuss the draft bylaw.<\/p>\n
Other large rivers in the city include the Cipinang, Sunter,
\nBuaran, Jati Kramat, Cakung, Angke, Pesanggrahan and Grogol.<\/p>\n
The East Flood Canal development project -- which will cost
\nRp 4.124 trillion (US$503 million) and will be 23.5 kilometers in
\nlength -- will be inaugurated by President Megawati Soekarnoputri
\non July 10.<\/p>\n
However, several analysts have already raised questions about
\nthe viability of the river transportation system.<\/p>\n
Their pessimism is based on the condition of Jakarta's rivers,
\nwhich have been shallowed and now mostly function as dumps for
\npeople living along the riverbanks.<\/p>\n
Rustam admitted the river transportation system was a long-
\nterm project.<\/p>\n
\"The draft bylaw will serve as an umbrella for developing a
\ncomprehensive transportation concept for the city. We have seen
\nthe potential of the rivers as an alternative means of
\ntransportation in the future,\" he said.<\/p>",
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