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