Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission D Chairperson, Ida Mahmudah visited the Kelapa Gading polder rehabilitation project, North Jakarta, which is conducted by the Water Resources (SDA) Agency, Monday (9/5).

Together with the Jakarta administration, we are making improvements to areas prone to flooding

According to him, the polder was being built to overcome inundation and flooding in Kelapa Gading Sub-district, North Jakarta.

"This is a 2021-2022 job, we hope that this work can be completed according to the target by the end of this year," she said.

Apart from dealing with flooding in Kelapa Gading area, the work could also minimize inundation or flooding around Pulomas, Rawamangun, and Sunter areas.

"We know that Kelapa Gading is one of the areas with a high level of flooding. Together with the Jakarta administration, we are making improvements to areas prone to flooding," she expressed.

Overall at four points, the progress had reached 60 percent.

Flood Management Division Head, Ericson Indra Pulungan explained that the Kelapa Gading polder construction with 70 hectares wide is a priority program which includes the construction of the Gendong River wall in front of Artha Gading Mall, the elevation of the Sunter River wall, the construction of two pump houses in Betik and Gendong rivers, as well as five sluice gates along Betik River.

"When the pump house has been built, water from Gendong River can be quickly pumped to Sunter River as the pump capacity is quite large, namely seven meters per second. It can make the Kelapa Gading area flood-free," he explained.

He was optimistic that the project could start operating in early 2023 and could reduce flood points and inundation times in Kelapa Gading area.

"If it is done quickly, Jakarta residents, especially in Kelapa Gading area and its surroundings will feel the benefits," he stated.