Disturbing the function of water channel in Putra-putri Park, RW 06, Pluit Urban Village, Pnejaringan Sub-District, North Jakarta, 112 illegal buildings stood inside the park are demolished, Thursday (8/28). The demolition is carried out by 1,800 joint personnel from Satpol PP, TNI/police, Jakarta Cleanliness Department, as well as local Water Management Public Works Sub-Department, Building Control Sub-Department, and Parks Sub-Department.

All this time, the existence of those illegal buildings was complained by the locals because the water channel towards Pluit Reservoir got blocked by the buildings

Head of Penjaringan Sub-District, Rusdiyanta, said that the four-hectare wide park has been utilized by the residents for commercial purposes. They built food stalls, ornamental plants stalls, china stalls. As a result, the function of a two-meter wide water channel in the park becomes suboptimal. Whereas, the water channel is a micro connecting channel towards Pluit Reservoir.

Initially, the residents utilized the park based on rental letter they got from a developer. However, the rent was already expired in 2002. Because of that, on Monday (8/25) the residents were given demolition warrant (SPB) to demolish their building themselves.

“All this time, the existence of those illegal buildings was complained by the locals because the water channel towards Pluit Reservoir got blocked by the buildings. As a result, the settlement in RW 06 Pluit becomes often inundated whenever heavy rain pours. After this, the water channel will be widened,” uttered Rusdiyanta.

According to Head of Jakarta Rivers and Reservoirs Normalization Works Unit, Heriyanto, the water channel will be widened to 12 meters.

“If it’s already widened, the water flow towards Pluit Reservoir would no longer be disturbed, so it is unlikely there would be inundations. We’re also going to arrange the park and add up its facilities,” he stated.