N. Jakarta's road that never dries

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