Underground work or drill work has been completed. We and Mr. Jokowi wants it must be accelerated

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) second phase construction will begin in 2019. According to the design, a track will be made from HI Roundabout-Kampung Bandan and then extended until Ancol Timur.

Jakarta Governor, Basuki T. Purnama said the construction must be accelerated. It is according to desire of Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, when he did a project reviewed in the field.

"Underground work or drill work has been completed. We and Mr. Jokowi wants it must be accelerated," he disclosed, at City Hall, Thursday (2/23).

While for first phase, Lebak Bulus-HI Roundabout is targeted to operate in March 2019. It is hoped could run smoothly and then continued to second phase. "If we follow on the design, we need time until 2019 for the next project (Ancol Timur)," he expressed.

According to him, President has assured financing for this rail-based mass transit. Many alternatives that could be used for financing, ranging from state budget (APBN), city budget (APBD), as well as investor.

"Including Mr. President, he wants design for east-west project must be accelerated. Don't to worry about budget, it can be searched from various sources," he uttered.

The second phase project with HI Roundabout-Ancol Timur track will be made along 13.5 km. As planned, it will be executed in 2019 and operate in 2021.

Especially for tunnel drilling, has been completed. Four drills on two sides already met in Setia Budi. That means, underground MRT has reached 80 percent. It is targeted the first phase can be operated in March 2019.