As many as 400 buildings stood atop the bank of Item River, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, are demolished by joint personnel, Monday (10/27). The demolition is done because an inspection road will be built in the site.

There are 400 buildings as long as 2.5 kilometers being demolished

Head of Jakarta Satpol PP, Kukuh Hadi Santosa, disclosed that 100 Satpol PP personnel are assisted by 20 Mobile Brigade members as well as tens of personnel from local Parks Sub-Department and Water Management Public Works Sub-Department.

“There are 400 buildings as long as 2.5 kilometers being demolished. At least by upcoming Wednesday, all buildings have flattened to the ground,” he stated.

According to Head of Kemayoran Sub-District, Iyan Sofyan Hadi, before the demolition is carried out his side had socialized the residents and sent warning letters to the building owners. But since most of the buildings were permanent buildings, his personnel join in the demolition.

“We’re just helping. The building owners are already aware and demolish their buildings themselves. We have socialized this since two months ago that the land will be widened to 7.5 meters,” he uttered.

Meanwhile, Coordinator for Jakarta Rivers and Reservoirs Normalization, Heriyanto, informed that the inspection road will be built as soon as Item riverbank is free from buildings. The project is targeted to finish by early next year.

“If all buildings had been demolished, we’ll immediately reinforce the land with concrete. The target is to finish the project in three months, so the inspection road could be immediately be used and traffic congestion in the area could be parsed,” he said.