Jakara city to build 9 new dams this year

Jakarta Provincial Government is going to build 9 new dams this year in order to anticipate flooding in the future. As planned, its construction will be carried out gradually, which falls in upcoming February.

Jakarta Governor, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) disclosed as an initial stage, there will be two new dams in Cengkareng (West Jakarta) and Rorotan (North Jakarta). While the rest planned to be realized gradually. "We`ll build new dams this year," he expressed, Monday (1/27).

Besides that, other dams are also slated to be built in Marunda and some areas. "All the land have been prepared. Its wide is about 50 hectares. I think half of the construction would be able to be completed this year, and all take 2 years," he stated.

He acknowledged those dams are hoped able to minimize flooding in the capital. "It has been budgeted through City Budget (APBD). While waiting for dams construction, we also keep normalizing the existing dams and rivers," he stressed.

Jokowi furthered, his party also plans to build two dams in Bogor areas. They are Ciawi and Sukamahi. They are deemed to reduce 40% of water flow from Ciliwung River.

Another step is by providing grant funds to buffer areas which have a role in minimizing flood problems from upstream.

This year, he would allocate Rp 5 billion (US 410 thousand) to Bogor Regency for villa demolishment on the banks of the Ciliwung River. There are at least 800 illegal villas that will be demolished this year. "We should appreciate Bogor Regency`s effort where they had demolished about 250 illegal villas last year," he expressed.

Such funds aimed to assist demolishing illegal villas. "There are also assistance for Bogor Government in other fields. Then land acquisition would begin tomorrow," he finished.