Plaza Semanggi management told to widen nearby road

The City Transportation Agency demanded the management of newly- launched Plaza Semanggi in Central Jakarta immediately widen Jl. Garnisun located behind the building as required by the traffic impact analysis.

Agency head Rustam Effendy said on Thursday that the development company must widen the road to avoid traffic congestion.

"Otherwise the city administration has the right to shut down the building," Rustam said.

Serious traffic congestion marked Wednesday's soft opening of the plaza, which is located on the land belonging to the military veterans foundation on the corner of Jl. Jend. Sudirman and Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto.

The Indonesian Customers Organization (YLKI) has criticized the administration for giving the go-ahead to the project despite knowing it would cause serious traffic problems.

The congestion near the plaza has also been a concern to city councillors during a hearing with the City Spatial Agency.

Commission D for development affairs chairman Koeswadi reminded agency head Nur Fakhih to monitor the progress of the implementation of traffic engineering around the plaza. -- JP