The Jakarta Provincial Government held a socialization event on the Implementation of Utility Networks in Jakarta for utility network operators today,  Thursday (2/16). It aims to overcome congestion and support the success of the upcoming ASEAN Summit.

This issue also needs support from various parties

This socialization involved 22 regional apparatuses under Jakarta provincial government and 67 utility networks operators, such as PLN, Telkom, Moratel, and others. It was attended by Jakarta Bina Marga Head; Development Bureau and Environment Head; representatives of Jakarta PMPTSP Agency; representatives of the Legal Bureau.

When opening it, Development and Environment Assistant, Afan Adriansyah expressed Indonesia would host the ASEAN Summit 2023 and Jakarta was chosen as one of the event locations. Hence, special attention was needed to the condition of the roads that connected several important points during the event, like Halim Perdanakusumah Airport, State Palace, and ASEAN Secretariat.

"The ASEAN Summit is a momentum to realize the priorities of the Jakarta Acting Governor in dealing with traffic jams. Besides the government, this issue also needs support from various parties, including utility network operators," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release, Friday (2/17).

Thus far, there have been many excavations in the utility network that have caused congestion, both excavations without permits and excavations with storing permits that were misused, or due to poor reinstatement (post-excavation road repairs were not done properly).

Traffic jams management in Jakarta is conducted through various programs, including the development of rail and road-based mass public transportation, traffic engineering management such as closing 27 u-turns, and implementing one-way on seven roads, as well as optimizing road conditions in the form of controlling illegal parking, cranes of broken vehicles, as well as handling of utility excavations on the roads.

During socialization, several things must be carried out by utility network operators:

1. Construction and maintenance of utility networks, particularly regarding excavation and road closures, must be guided by the provisions of Gubernatorial Regulation No. 106/2019 on Guidelines for Implementing Utility Network Infrastructure

2. Utility network operators and contractors appointed to comply with the substances listed in the permits that have been granted, including complying with provisions related to technical substance, timing, and reinstatement of roads

3. Utility network must enter the existing Integrated Utility Network Facility (SJUT), to minimize the excavation that causes congestion

4. Violation of the applicable provisions may be subject to sanctions. In this case, sanctions can be imposed on utility network operators and contractors in the field. Jakarta Government will take firm action against excavations on roads that do not have permits or those that misuse storing permits. Utility network operators are also asked to carry out tighter control over their implementing contractors

5. In line with the momentum of the 2023 ASEAN Summit, Jakarta Government will begin to increase supervision and control

6. If there is construction and maintenance of utility networks on priority road sections, it should be completed as soon as possible

"This socialization is expected to foster an active role from all parties, including utility network operators, to overcome congestion due to excavation on the road. Jakarta Government invites all parties, such as the private sector, academia, community, and public, to jointly make the ASEAN Summit successful by supporting the Jakarta Government's programs in overcoming traffic jams in Jakarta," he closed.