Thamrin project to proceed

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is to continue the Jl. M.H. Thamrin beautification project in Central Jakarta and its other regreening plans despite the monetary crisis, an official said.

Head of the city's park agency Syamsir Alam said Monday that even though the Thamrin project had been slowed down, the governor wanted it to proceed as scheduled.

"We may start in April (as expected)," he said.

"Now we are concentrating on obtaining the plants for the green lane. Up until now we haven't had any difficulties acquiring plants, which mostly come from the West Java area."

"We'll start with visible, simple construction work, including tree planting."

The beautification project, called Thamrin Walk, is designed to eliminate the capitalistic atmosphere along the street and to create a friendlier ambience for pedestrians.

The city administration had allowed a budget of Rp 13.2 billion, while owners of the 20 buildings along the street were asked to contribute another Rp 8.5 billion to realize the plan.

The scheme, which includes the tearing down of fences between high-rise buildings and widening sidewalks on one of the city's main roads, will be carried out in stages.

"Because of the monetary crisis, we have to make some adjustments to the proposed budget. The prices of street furniture which are ceramic, for instance, is very expensive now," Syamsir said.

Based on the agency's latest calculation, the city's contribution to the project is estimated to jump to Rp 21.57 billion, including Rp 1.74 billion for street furniture.

"Other projects, such as the greening and beautification of the Semanggi cloverleaf bridge, will be continued."

Since the city's one-million-trees program was launched on Jan. 20, 1992, 4.5 million trees have been planted, he said.

A program for cemetery beautification, held jointly by the city's park and cemetery agencies, will also go on, Syamsir added.

Aji Achmad of the cemetery agency said that in the Karet Bivak Funeral Park in Central Jakarta some 5,000 burial sites have been renovated into plant-covered "green tombs" measuring 1 meter by 2 meters with a height of 10 centimeters.

"The city wants to create friendly and beautiful graveyards. It is also meant to erase the spooky image," Aji said. (edt/ind)