Subway plan

Subway plan

From Republika

As a former resident of Jakarta, I am very proud of the capital's development, especially about matters concerning traffic jams.

Sometime ago, when toll road construction was first mentioned, several opinions appeared in the media.

The first dealt with the construction of flyovers which should no longer be delayed since traffic snarls were increasing with time.

Another opinion raised the subject of subway construction since that is the road system used in advanced countries, and not flyovers.

The first opinion reasoned that flyover constructions had to be based on Jakarta's ground structure, which does not allow for the building of a subway. Besides, the underground city gas and water network is a mess, which makes mapping impossible.

Then flyovers, snaking above the capital in every direction, were built. However, at the end of 1996, the integrated subway plan, starting from Block M surfaced again. This time it announced its immediate implementation by the middle of the year.

I would like answers to the following questions:

1. What is the actual ground structure of Jakarta? Is construction of a subway feasible? What about the observation which asserted that Jakarta's underground cable network was a messy business?

2. Are we really ready to construct a subway with all its risks and coordination? I fear that the subway would turn into a "water canal" in the rainy season.

DJAUHARI TEGUH SOEGIHARTO

Pekanbaru, Riau