Idle land under flyover

Idle land under flyover

From Kompas

The railway flyover between Manggarai and Kota has been operating for six years. During that period it has benefited road users who formerly had to pass one or several of 17 railway crossings at street-level. The flyover has also made it possible for the state railway company to operate more trains, including electric trains which accommodate 280,000 commuters a day.

For many years now the stalls at smaller stations beneath the flyover have remained closed. How good it would be if these idle facilities could be given (rented) to laid-off employees to start some business like selling food and foodstuffs.

I still remember when employees arriving at Pasar Minggu station could buy foodstuffs at stalls in front of the station. All this has now been changed into sidewalks and parks.

Since employees also have household duties, it would be good if they could buy foodstuffs close to the stations. The private sector may be interested in opening such facilities in cooperation with Perumka (the state railway company) and PD Pasar Jaya (the organization in charge of market operations).

IMAN SUHARTO

Bandung, West Java