Housing Department Explains Marunda Canal Blockage Due to Project Mud
The Jakarta Housing, Public Housing, and Settlement Area Department (DPRKP) has explained the cause of the reported blockage in the flow of the Kali Anakan Blencong in Marunda, Cilincing, North Jakarta, attributed by residents to the Rusunawa Marunda apartment construction project.
Akbar Rizali, Head of the Housing Provision Sub-Group at DPRKP DKI Jakarta, stated that sedimentation of mud in the canal rose to the surface due to the pressure from the soil compaction process in the project.
“The incident yesterday involved the existing mud sediment in the canal rising because it was displaced by our soil backfilling compaction (for the Rusunawa Marunda project),” he explained when contacted by Kompas.com on Monday (11/5/2026).
“Regarding the social media reports about the Marunda canal flow yesterday, the soil backfilling process for the apartment elevation does not reach the canal flow point,” he added.
He said that they have coordinated with the affected environment, Marunda Ward, and the North Jakarta Water Resources Sub-Department regarding the condition of the channels around the project.
In addition, DPRKP DKI Jakarta has carried out the transportation of mud sediment and the installation of bamboo stakes to hold back soil pressure so that the mud does not rise again.
“The retaining wall or soil retention wall is being built simultaneously with the soil backfilling,” he revealed.
He assured that they will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies if there are any public facilities impacted by the project work.
“We ensure that any on-site issues, such as disrupted PAM pipes, PLN or Telkom cables affected by our project, are addressed,” he added.
It is known that the flow of the Kali Anakan Blencong in Marunda, Cilincing, North Jakarta, was blocked, allegedly due to being buried by backfill mud from the Rusunawa Marunda apartment construction project.
On the left side of the bridge, the canal flow is still visible with a width of about five metres. However, on the right side, the flow that should connect is now covered by mud.
In the Rusunawa Marunda project area, piles of soil and mud blocking the canal flow are only separated by a bamboo fence that is already in disarray.
Behind the piles, the remaining water flow towards the left side of the bridge appears narrowed to less than one metre. The flow is even barely visible due to the dense vegetation covering it.