N. Jakarta's road that never dries

One of the main access roads to the luxury estate of Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta, Jl. Kapuk Raya, remains under water although there has not been much rain in recent weeks, certainly nothing on the order of the huge floods in February, which paralyzed the city.

"The water level in a part of the road only recedes or increases, but never dries up completely," said Suparno, who runs a sidewalk cigarette kiosk on the road.

He said residents had gotten used to the water, so they take care when traveling over the bumpy and slippery road. The road has been continually inundated by up to 30 centimeters of water which overflows from local ditches.

"So far, it has not yet caused a fatal accident. But some motorcyclists have fallen in the big holes or slid out of control," he said.

Suparno said the city administration had done nothing to improve the condition.

"They have repeatedly pledged to raise the road level but that remains empty promises."

Sugiyo, a plant worker located near the road, said the administration had informed residents since last month that the repair and improvements to the road would begin this month.

"The company where I work received the notification letter," he said.

Masim, a staff member at the Kapuk Muara subdistrict office, confirmed that the road level would be raised with work beginning on Monday, May 20.

"The City Public Works Agency informed us about the project to raise the road level," he said. -- JP