The ranks of Central Jakarta Satpol PP and Cleanliness Sub-Department tore down 20 buildings located on Jalan Kramat Baru and Jalan Melati Raya, Kramat Urban Village, Senen Sub-District. The demolition is done because those buildings were built above water channel.

Those buildings stood atop water channel, thus they had to be demolished. After this, the water channel’s function will be restored

According to Head of Kramat Urban Village, Leo Tantino, the location of those buildings was previously a temporary market. However, the market’s permit is no longer renewed by Central Jakarta Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Trade (KUMKMP) Sub-Department.

“Those buildings stood atop water channel, thus they had to be demolished. After this, the water channel’s function will be restored by Central Jakarta Water Management Public Works Sub-Department,” he stated, Thursday (11/20).

Based on beritajakarta.com observations, no heavy equipment is used in the demolition. After the buildings demolished, officers transported the remains of the building materials to Cleanliness Sub-Department truck.

Darsono (48), one of building owners, admitted disappointed because his kiosks being demolished. According to him, the existence of those buildings did not block the water channel and cause traffic congestion.

“We have lived here for 20 years. All this time there is no flooding. This is not a main road, so why the buildings demolished?” he lamented.