Clearing the tracks urgent

Clearing the tracks urgent

From Warta Kota

The eviction of squatters from the land belonging to state railway company PTKA in Tanah Abang Bongkaran, Jakarta, now needs to be followed by the demolition of the shacks lining both sides of the railway tracks there to ensure public safety.

Similar illegal shanties can also be found along the tracks at Kramat Sentiong and Pasar Gaplok. The spaces between the tracks have now also been taken over by scavengers.

Shanties also line the sides of the tracks in Kampung Bandan and have even been constructed under the railway bridge near Kota station.

When a fire broke out in Kampung Bandan, commuter trains from Bekasi were unable to proceed to Kota station due to the piles of squatters' belongings piled up near the tracks.

The Jatinegara-Senen-Kota line will also be disrupted if a fire or other disaster takes place in the slums at Kramat Sentiong or Pasar Gaplok. Thus, the demolition of all these squatter settlements is imperative.

M. SUGENG Jakarta