River-widening affects 915 homes

JAKARTA: The City Public Works Agency wants to clear at least 915 houses from the banks of Kali Tirem River in Warakas, North Jakarta, to make way for its plan to widening the river.

Mayor Efendi Anas said the river widening is part of the effort to ease the possible flooding in the capital, the city official news portal Beritajakarta.com reported on Saturday.

"We expect residents will understand that the plan has to go on," he said, adding that all subdistrict chiefs should help in disseminating information on the need to clear the riverbanks from squatters and buildings. -- JP