Billions allocated to dredge rivers

JAKARTA: The city administration has set aside Rp 37.915 billion (US$4.55 million) for river dredging and cleaning projects this year, an official said on Tuesday.

"A tender is being held for the river dredging and cleaning projects," chief for water resource management at the City Public Works Agency Leo Yanmer Sianturi said.

Leo said the projects, to overcome annual floods, would commence next month and be completed in December.

Most of the projects are located in West Jakarta, including the dredging of Jelangkong river at a cost of Rp 1.8 billion, Grogol Atas river at Rp 2 billion, Citegal Alur river at Rp 2 billion, and the Sekretaris and Mookervart rivers at Rp 3.22 billion.

Part of Ciliwung river along Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta, Kali Besar Asemka river in West Jakarta and Cideng river in Central Jakarta are also to be dredged at a total of Rp 6.45 billion.

The administration will also allocate Rp 10.88 billion for the Krukut and Mampang rivers in South Jakarta, Apuran river in West Jakarta, and the Cakung and Sunter rivers in North Jakarta.

Besides the rivers, several reservoirs will also be dredged, including Pulomas in East Jakarta at a cost of Rp 2 billion, Grogol at Rp 2 billion, Rawa Kepa at Rp 500 million and a large reservoir near the Sedyatmo toll road at Rp 6 billion. All the reservoirs are located in West Jakarta. -- Antara