Channel Dredging Becomes a Priority to Overcome Jakarta's Flooding

Jakarta City Council Vice Chairwoman, Ima Mahdiah, welcomed the Jakarta government's steps to resume dredging the rivers and water channels after a halt. This effort is an important part of flood mitigation in the capital.

Hopefully, the results can make a significant impact on flood control

"Since the inauguration of the Governor and his deputy, they immediately ordered the transition team to conduct dredging with the existing equipment. Because the 2025 budget has already been approved, the fastest and most efficient step is to continue dredging regularly," she expressed, Thursday (11/6).

She mentioned that several previously halted retaining wall projects are now being resumed, such as at Grogol, Pesanggrahan, Sekretaris, Mookervart, and Ciliwung rivers. All work is being conducted gradually and is multi-year.

Cross-Agency Personnel Quickly Respond to Flooding in Jakarta

"Hopefully, the results can make a significant impact on flood control," she hoped.

She explained that the Jakarta government is currently operating around 250 heavy equipment for dredging in Jakarta. Each piece of equipment is equipped with GPS for transparent performance monitoring.

"Don't let the equipment be purchased but not used. Residents are now also starting to feel the benefits because many channels are functioning again," she explained.

Besides dredging, many areas still lack adequate water channels, so development needs to be accelerated. He also ensured that the Water Resources Agency (SDA) continues to normalize the rivers despite the cut in Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH).

She assessed, the cuts do not have a significant impact on priority programs because some activities are only temporarily postponed or redirected to the central government.

"For instant, the land acquisition for the cemetery and several other projects are postponed until the Revised City Budget (APBD). However, main programs such as dredging and normalization continue as planned," she explained.

She asserted, multiyear projects such as slope stabilization and sheet pile construction will continue.

"For dredging, the equipment and task force are ready. Since Mr. Pramono and Mr. Doel were inaugurated, the work in the field has been ongoing," she stressed.

For land acquisition around Ciliwung River, he mentioned that the process is still ongoing, even if gradually.

"That is one of the Governor's priorities, but land acquisition is indeed difficult. The process will continue," she closed.