Companies to clean Cirarab River

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang

Four developers of several housing complexes in Periuk district, here, have promised to clean up Cirarab River as it floods every year.

The developers are PT Ispi Pratama, PT Panca Muara Jaya, PT Cakra Sarana Persada and PT Karibuana Kartika.

PT Cakra technical division head Setyo Muharso, said on Monday that the program had been discussed with the Tangerang public works agency.

He said that, due to financial constraints faced by the four developers, the program would comprise several steps. First, two kilometers of the river would be dredged for garbage.

The Jakarta Post observed that the river nearby Vila Regensi Tangerang II housing complex was almost black with filth, garbage clogged the shallow water, while a putrid smell emitted from it.

Housing complexes in the area, namely Total Persada, Mutiara Pluit, Vila Tangerang Regensi I and II, and Prima Tangerang, are flooded in the rainy season.

Periuk district chief Edi Mulyanto said that the municipal administration warmly welcomed the developers' plan to clean up the river.

"Most housing complexes here are flooded when it rains heavily -- it would be virtually impossible to reverse this condition," he said, although he hoped that the developers would do their best.

Agency head Roestiwie said that the program would cost more than Rp 2 billion (US$212,766), which she doubted the developers could afford.

"However, we appreciate their good will -- and I will propose that the funds be allocated in next year's city budget," she said.