Addressing the Urine Odour at Palmerah Station Footbridge, Finally Tackled After Annoying Pedestrians

The pavement in the area of the Palmerah Station Pedestrian Overpass (JPO), Gelora, Central Jakarta, was cleaned following complaints about a disturbing urine odour that was disrupting residents’ activities.

In a video received by Kompas.com, a combined team of PPSU and the Central Jakarta Environmental Service could be seen working together to clean the area.

The pavement and the space under the JPO were cleaned using soapy water, then scrubbed with brooms.

Gelora Ward Head, Nurbin Togar, stated that the handling was carried out quickly by the combined team consisting of Satpol PP and PPSU from Gelora Ward.

“The complaint about the odour has been addressed now, specifically yesterday afternoon, Thursday (23/4/2026). For the time being, we have followed it up according to our authority and coordinated with the relevant services to resolve it according to their authority,” Nurbin told Kompas.com via text message on Friday (24/4/2026).

Nurbin explained that this cleaning activity was a follow-up to residents’ reports regarding the pungent smell around the Palmerah Bus Stop.

In addition to cleaning and applying carbolic acid, the officers also sealed gaps that were often used for urinating indiscriminately.

He also clarified the initial suspicion that the urine odour came from Persons with Social Welfare Problems (PMKS) who often rested in the location.

According to him, the odour was suspected to originate from rogue motorbike taxi drivers who park nearby, as well as road users passing through.

“The cause is the presence of rogue base motorbike taxis and people passing by who urinate under the JPO. Based on information from the surroundings, that’s it (rogue motorbike taxis), but it’s possible that passersby do the same,” he said.

With the closure of access to under the JPO and plans for fence repairs by the Road Infrastructure Agency, it is hoped that the Palmerah Station area will return to being clean and comfortable for pedestrians and public transport users.

Previously, an unpleasant aroma was again detected in the area of the Palmerah Transjakarta Bus Stop, Gelora Ward, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/4/2026).

Based on Kompas.com’s observations on Wednesday afternoon, the urine odour was smelled around under the JPO in the pavement area on the side near Palmerah Market.