Tangerang opts to build, not repair, roads

Tangerang opts to build, not repair, roads

With residents complaining about the damaged roads in the
regency, Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar attended a ceremony
marking the beginning of construction on a new Rp 136 billion
(US$15.11 million) road stretching for 30 kilometers from Serpong
to Tigaraksa.

The regent asked residents to support the project, which also
will include the construction of a 250-meter bridge over the
Cisadane River in Kranggan village, Cisauk district.

"The residents will benefit from the new road in the future.
Therefore, they must help the administration by giving up their
land for the road construction," he said during the ceremony.

Ismet said the direct connection between Serpong and
Tigaraksa, the capital of the regency, would save travellers both
time and money.

"They will not have to take the longer route on the Jakarta-
Merak toll road or through the already jammed Jl. Raya Serang,"
he said.

Residents in Pondok Aren and Ciputat districts, however, are
not happy that a new road is being built at great expense before
the current roads are repaired. They said they had repeatedly
complained about the damaged roads in Pondok Ranji and Pondok
Kacang Barat but never received a response.

"We have to be extra careful when passing along Jl. Merpati
because there are lots of deep potholes along the three-kilometer
road," said resident Achmad Fauzi on Saturday.

Residents of Pondok Kacang Barat plan to hold a rally in
Tigaraksa on Monday to protest the regent's failure to address
the problem of the poor roads.

"The roads have been in bad condition for seven years but
there has been no action by the regent," said Ucup Jambu.

Residents have put up banners that read: "Welcome to the
damaged road. This road is for sale."

"I think the administration ignores us even though we also pay
taxes," Ucup said. -- JP