The asphalt on Jalan Karet Bivak Raya, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, or precisely under Karet Flyover, collapsed suddenly on Wednesday (11/5) and created a hole as deep as one meter and as wide as 2.5 meters. It is alleged that the asphalt collapsed because of the water from a leaking water pipe eroded the soil under the asphalt. Traffic cones and yellow lines written ‘Palyja’ were installed around the location.

The cause of the collapsed road could be due to the leaking water pipe, thus water eroded the soil and created cavities, or could also because of less soil compaction

According to Akanta (54), an eyewitness, a week before the asphalt collapsed some officials from Palyja were fixing the leaky pipe. After the repair work, the road became not flat. Thus, the officers returned to conduct another repair work, but the road suddenly collapsed.

“The road collapsed at around 12 noon when Palyja officers were about to repair the un-flat road, but the asphalt suddenly collapsed. There is no casualty,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Roads Maintenance Section for Central Jakarta Road Public Works Sub-Department, Agustio Ruhuseto, stated that he has known about this incident and also has contacted PT Palyja to repair the damages.

“I have contacted Palyja to immediately repair the collapsed road. They usually do it quick. The cause of the collapsed road could be due to the leaking water pipe, thus water eroded the soil and created cavities, or could also because of less soil compaction,” he uttered.