Three-tier transit project delayed for two months<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The developer of the three-tier transit system
\nsays that work on the project will not begin until February
\nbecause it will have difficulty finding workers over the Idul
\nFitri holiday period.<\/p>\n
The deputy director of PT Citra Moda Margakencana Persada,
\nBambang Soeroso, said yesterday that because Idul Fitri fell on
\nJan. 30 and Jan. 31, most of the 12,000 workers needed for the
\nproject would be away visiting their hometowns in January.<\/p>\n
Work on the project was due to start next month.<\/p>\n
The project, which combines a toll road, a railway and
\narterial roads, will stretch 14 kilometers from Bintaro in South
\nJakarta to downtown Kota in West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that by February they'll be back in Jakarta,\" Bambang
\nsaid after he presented plans and a model of the new transit
\nsystem to the governor and high-ranking city officials.<\/p>\n
City councilor Saud Rachman of Commission D for development
\naffairs questioned yesterday the need for the delay and said it
\nwas \"absurd\" to say that the developer would have difficulty in
\nfinding workers.<\/p>\n
\"The workers, especially blue-collar workers, are available
\nhere,\" he said. \"With the monetary crisis, many of them are
\nunemployed because of the lack of construction projects.\"<\/p>\n
The decision that the Rp 6.2 trillion (US$1.87 billion)
\ntransit project would proceed was announced in May.<\/p>\n
Construction will be carried out by PT Citra Moda Margakencana
\nPersada, a consortium made up of PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada,
\nheaded by President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti
\nRukmana, state-owned railway company Perumka and state-owned
\nhighway corporation PT Jasa Marga.<\/p>\n
Bambang said the first stage of the project, between Ulujami
\nin South Jakarta and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta, was expected
\nto be completed by 2001.<\/p>\n
He said the budget of Rp 6.2 trillion was calculated before
\nthe monetary crisis, which meant the actual price would likely
\nrise.<\/p>\n
He said the consortium was seeking foreign investment because
\nit could not depend just on local funds.<\/p>\n
\"We'll blend local and foreign funds,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bambang said the project would try to use public land instead
\nof private land \"to minimize the possibility of social unrest\".<\/p>\n
He said land used in the project would carry gas pipes and
\ntelephone cables.<\/p>\n
\"It's possible we'll rent out the gas and telephone lines, but
\nwe haven't thought about that yet,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bambang said governor Sutiyoso had asked the consortium about
\nthe possibility of speeding up work on the project because of the
\ndesperate need to improve traffic flow.<\/p>\n
Saud said the project was a very important step in solving the
\ncity's chronic traffic problems.<\/p>\n
\"I hope that it'll start by February and there won't be any
\nmore delays,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"And when the project is finished, I hope ticket prices will
\nbe fair and affordable for everyone.\" (07\/ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-tier-transit-project-delayed-for-two-months-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}