Roziq to propose solution for flooded airport road
JAKARTA (JP): Sections of Cengkareng toll road in West Jakarta, the main route to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, remained swamped for the second straight day on Wednesday, resulting in delays at the airport and frazzled nerves.
State Minister of Public Works Roziq Boedioro Soetjipto inspected the toll road on Wednesday and said his office would propose the central government immediately build an adequate alternative route to the airport.
"It might be in the form of an elevated road stretching across the flooded part of the toll road," the minister said while visiting The Jakarta Post on Wednesday evening.
"I'll endorse our proposal in the next Cabinet meeting," he said, adding that the flooding had already caused much inconvenience.
For the second straight day, airline crews, passengers, airport employees and people wishing to pick up arriving friends or relatives were forced to reach the international airport by alternative routes.
Many of those attempting to reach the airport found themselves in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the narrow roads which serve as alternatives to the toll road.
Due to the late arrival of passengers and crew, many airlines postponed flights on Wednesday.
Waters from KM 26 to KM 28 of the toll road on Wednesday reached 75 centimeters high, a drop of 25 centimeters from the water level the previous day.
Only buses and trucks were able to ford the heavy water, which was caused by the heavy rain which has fallen on the city since Monday, the monsoon conditions in the nearby Jakarta Bay and the poor condition of the road.
"I've been told that the road (at the inundated spots) has gradually dropped to some 80 centimeters since it was constructed (in 1984)," Roziq said.
Asrap Hadiroso, the minister's deputy for regional infrastructure, said the proposed elevated road would be constructed about 2.5 meters higher than the current road.
"But it has not yet been finalized," Asrap said.
Neither Roziq nor Asrap were willing to venture a guess as to when the toll road would be passable by small vehicles.
As on Tuesday, private vehicles lined the side of the toll road as drivers realized the futility of attempting to reach the airport in their cars.
Toll road operator PT Jasa Marga and airport authority PT Angkasa Pura II remained unwilling or unable to provide buses for those people trying to reach the airport.
Drivers of the Damri public buses plying the airport route continued to collect the Rp 5,000 fare from passengers. There were, however, a number of Army trucks ferrying people to the airport for free.
Those people taking the alternative route in Kalideres could expect to take about four times longer than usual to reach the airport.
"Usually we can get to the airport in 40 minutes on the toll road. This time we need two and a half hours," said Rachmat, who was driving his boss to the airport for an international flight.
The length of flight delays on Wednesday varied from airline to airline. Bouraq Airlines flights to Balikpapan, Palu and Makassar were delayed for more than three hours.
"The airplane was scheduled to depart at 6:30 a.m, but it finally took off at 9:47 a.m. due to the late arrival of the passengers," said Beatrix P., an airport staff member.
Garuda Airways faced the same difficulties. The national flag carrier delayed several of its flights, including those to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Padang. (asa/bsr)