Plaza Semanggi opening worsen traffic congestion

P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The soft opening of Plaza Semanggi on Wednesday raised concern over exacerbation of already severe traffic jams and the management's commitment to addressing the problem.

Non-governmental organizations are expressing concern over the traffic problem. "The mall will no doubt worsen the already severe traffic jams," said Indah Suksmaningsih, chairwoman of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI).

She said the management had already shown indifference from the inception of the project by not creating opportunities for public input.

"In another country, such as America, the city administration would announce the development to the public and accommodate its opinions before any new mall or hypermarket were built," said Indah.

She added that such a step would enable the public to be more prepared and aware of the possibility of worsening traffic congestion.

In response to the concerns coming from non-governmental organizations, a director of mall developer PT Primadana Nusa Indah, Very Y. Setiady, said, "They should spend some time here and check it out for themselves -- whether their worries have become a reality or not."

Very said that the management had sought professional assistance from PT Pamintori Cipta -- traffic consultant for the Granadha Business Center -- to prevent the traffic congestion from getting worse.

Also, the management -- in cooperation with the 911 emergency assistance service of the city police -- had mobilized about 120 security guards in three shifts. The security guards would directly control traffic flow in the surrounding area.

Very said that the main cause of severe traffic jams was vendors who took up road space. He gave an assurance that the problem had been addressed, "because we have relocated the vendors to the second floor of the building."

The Rp 400 billion (US$ 47,1 million) project, Plaza Semanggi, will be fully operational next February.