Tangerang dreams of traveling by riverboat

Tangerang dreams of traveling by riverboat

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang, Banten

The Cisadane River, which winds through several districts in the
regency and municipality of Tangerang, has a potential to be
developed as a tourist attraction. With its traditional-style
homes built along the sides of the river, it would appeal to
tourists interested in learning about the city's history.

The problem is that there is no modern form of transportation
available for traveling down the river and enjoying the sights.

"If the regency and the municipal administrations were to
jointly built a river transportation system along the Cisadane
River, I believe that Tangerang would attract both domestic and
foreign tourists," Andree Somanegara, a photographer for a local
newspaper, told The Jakarta Post.

He said that if many local residents and tourists were to
travel along the river, factories would think twice about
disposing of their waste in it, especially during the day.

The Cisadane River has become severely polluted with
industrial waste because of poor law enforcement by both the
regency and mayoralty administrations.

Lia, a student at a private computer informative management
college in Tangerang, said that the establishment of river
transportation along the river might ease traffic congestion in
the city.

"It would mean an end to getting stuck in traffic jams every
day. It would also be very nice to travel by boat along the
river," she said.

But the question remains: Would it be possible for the
Cisadane River to have river transportation like Amsterdam or
Venice?

Felix Mulyawan, an official at the municipality's
Transportation and Communication Agency said that it was
possible, but not easy.

"The Cisadane River is not as wide as the rivers in
Kalimantan. The wake from passing boats would eventually erode
either side of the riverbanks," he said.

However, he said, establishing a transportation system along
the river was not out of the question. Areas along the
riverbanks, such as Serpong, Karawaci, Cikokol, Kebon Nanas,
Grendeng and Pasar Baru, could be developed as possible
terminals.

The Cisadane River has long been used for transportation by
locals. Residents can still be seen using their traditional
boats.

Tangerang Mayor Moch. Thamrin said that he hoped private
investors would be willing to develop a transportation system
along the river.

"The problem is that the administration has no funds for
developing a transportation system along the river," he said.

The former Tangerang regent, Agus Djunara, said that
so far, there had been four local investors who have filed
proposals for its development. "The administration is still
studying their proposals and chances for other investors are
still open," the former regent, who left office on March 22, said
recently.