Pulogebang bus terminal project put on hold

JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta mayoralty has postponed indefinitely the construction of Pulogebang Bus Terminal, which was scheduled to start in July, a city councilor said yesterday.

Ali Wongso Sinaga of Commission D for development affairs said no explanation had been given for the postponement, announced by the mayoralty's assistant for economic and development affairs Nasrul Muluk during Tuesday's commission meeting.

Pulogebang has been reviewed twice, reportedly due to the higher price of building materials.

"Actually we hope the project can start soon to do away with the crowded and shabby conditions of Pulogadung Bus Terminal," Sinaga quoted Nasrul as saying.

He said the new terminal was to replace the dilapidated and outdated Pulogadung terminal, which caters for 40,000 passengers daily and up to 80,000 passengers daily during the holiday season.

The plans for Pulogebang terminal are based on a property barter agreement signed in 1990. Under the agreement, the municipality is to give PT Rodial Eron the 3.5-hectare plot where the current Pulogadung Bus Terminal stands.

It was revealed during the meeting that Pulogadung Bus Terminal was no longer suitable for public use.

The 57,465-square-meter Pulogebang terminal is designed to have different lanes, entrances and exists for the city and intercity buses. It will have the capacity to accommodate some 11,000 people.

In a related development, Sinaga questioned the violation of land use in Malaka Raya, East Jakarta.

"The plot near Jl. Malaka Raya is meant for the construction of a floodway to prevent flooding from the East Flood Canal River. In reality, however, the plot was used to develop buildings and other business structures," he said.

In response, East Jakarta Deputy Mayor Andi Mappaganty said that some parts of the Malaka Raya area were being cleared to make way for the canal project.

"We will take firm action against the violators," he said. (07/ind)