Plaza Semanggi to worsen traffic jams: Observer

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite assurances from the developer of Plaza Semanggi that the upmarket mall would not worsen already severe traffic congestion, a transportation observer says otherwise.

Ahmad Syafrudin of the Environmental Task Force said Wednesday that the shopping mall would draw more taxis, public minivans and buses and private vehicles.

He blasted the city administration for issuing a permit for a development that would cause extensive traffic chaos.

"With the opening of the plaza, there will probably be stricter measures to ensure a smooth flow of traffic around it, but over time it will loosen and public transportation vehicles will wreak their usual havoc," he told The Jakarta Post.

He also said that given the difficulty with entering the mall on Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto, patrons would most likely prefer alighting in front of the gate.

"This means there will be more people gathering in the already crowded slow lane," he said.

However, despite concerns of worsening traffic congestion, the developer plans to open the mall in November, vowing it would not add to the area's traffic woes.

Mall developer PT Primadana Nusa Indah director Veri Y. Setiady said on Wednesday that a new traffic management policy involving the deployment of hundreds of traffic police and city transportation agency officials to direct the flow of traffic inside and around the mall had been designed.

He said it was ready to open a new road that would carry traffic coming from Kuningan and Menteng. "There are problems opening the road but we are ready the build one," he told the Post.

Veri went further, saying the mall would ease congestion along Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Gatot Subroto.

"During the rush hours, motorists tired of the traffic can change direction and go to the plaza to refresh themselves in the cafes and entertainment centers inside."

He said the plaza had 1,900 carparks.

Plaza Semanggi, which is built around the Sarbini building on the corner of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Gatot Subroto, will have a cultural and art center in the Sarbini building.

Just like other malls, it will also have restaurants, boutiques, entertainment centers, electronic stores and health and beauty shops.

Reports said that 92 percent of the 400 units were already rented. Each unit cost between Rp 300,000 (US$35.3) and Rp 500,000 per square meter per month.

Prior to construction of the mall, areas around the Sarbini building were a place for street vendors and a temporary terminal for illegally operating public minivans.

The developer reiterated it would clear the area and give space inside the mall to all street vendors.