Dam project delayed

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: A severe cement shortages has delayed the construction of the Gerak Serayu dam in Banyumas.

The late arrival of the cement has forced construction workers to delay building parts of the dam which require cementing, project manager of the irrigation project K.S. Djasmani said.

Djasmani said workers have been ordered to finish parts of the dam which do not need cement so that the construction would not come to a complete stop.

The rainy season which is expected to start this month, he added, would inevitably hamper the project because the soil in the area would turn to mud.

The construction of the dam, located in Kebasen district, began in July 1990. It was originally expected to have been completed next October, Antara reported. (par)