Locals reject Balaraja overpass

TANGERANG: Hundreds of Telagasari villagers protested the Tangerang regental administration over its plan to evict them to make way for the construction of an overpass.

"The plan to construct an overpass is premature. It is not urgent and will not benefit locals," Achmad Dimyati, chairman of the Balaraja-Telagasari Aspiration Forum (Fosmataba) said on Saturday.

"We would prefer that the administration build a ring road that connects villages in Balaraja district, as was planned previously, and it's cheaper."

Balaraja district head Slamet Budhi regretted the villagers' rejecting the overpass before the administration had a chance to reveal the plan to them directly. -- JP