Ahead of Eid, 14 PAM Jaya Excavation Sites in Kalideres Closed

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Several excavation sites for the PAM Jaya clean water pipeline project in Kalideres, West Jakarta, have been temporarily closed ahead of the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah holiday. Based on observations by Kompas.com along Jalan Peta Selatan, Kalideres, on Wednesday (18/3/2026), the areas previously excavated on the main road appear to have been covered. The surfaces of the previously open excavation sites have now been sealed with cement and asphalt, levelled with the main road. Traffic flow in the area appears busy but smooth, without hindrance from the routes that were previously blocked by excavations. The policy of closing the excavations has received a positive response from local residents. Poyo (51), one of the Kalideres residents, expressed relief over the closure, as the severe traffic jams that usually occur have now decreased ahead of Eid. “This has been closed since last week; on Friday, it was already closed when I was here,” said Poyo when met by Kompas.com at the location on Wednesday. Poyo stated that closing the excavations is crucial given the high mobility of residents during the Eid period. “I’m happy because it reduces congestion here; after all, it’s Eid. As Betawi people, during Eid we go around Kalideres, Cengkareng; if there’s traffic, it’s troublesome,” he said. “I hope it gets fixed quickly. If it needs to be worked on later and reopened, don’t take too long; finish it quickly. And don’t have excavations too often. Don’t have them every end of the year,” he added. Meanwhile, Senior Manager of Corporate & Customer Communication at PAM Jaya, Gatra Vaganza, stated that this step was taken to ensure the smooth flow of public traffic during the Eid period. “So indeed, there are currently 16 pits or points along the road in the project area. Of these, 14 have now been closed,” Gatra said when confirmed by Kompas.com on Wednesday (18/3/2026). The closures were carried out to prevent potential severe congestion that could disrupt residents’ activities during the mudik period and the return flow of Eid.