As the clock ticks toward the hosting of the prestigious Asian Games (Asiad) next year, the city administration is pinning its hopes on the partial construction of the light rail transportation (LRT) line and the renovation of the velodrome being completed on time.

The completion of the two projects has become a priority for Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama as they will serve as the Jakarta games’ landmark developments.

Despite the challenges in construction funding, Ahok has instructed city-owned property firm PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) to have the LRT in operation, at least partially, before August 2018 when Jakarta is set to host the quadrennial multisport event.

“We want to show off our capacity. So, when foreign guests arrive, the LRT will already be operational, albeit partly,” said Ahok on Friday during his visit to three Asiad sites.

He paid a visit to the LRT depot in Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta, as well as to the velodrome in the Rawamangun sports complex and an equestrian center in Pulo Mas — all in East Jakarta.

With the LRT, he added, equestrian and cycling competitors staying in the upscale Kelapa Gading area would be within easy reach of the velodrome and equestrian center.

Jakpro, teaming up with state-owned developer PT Wijaya Karya (Wika), is currently constructing the first phase of the LRT, which will extend 6 kilometers to and from the Kelapa Gading depot, Pulo Mas equestrian center and Rawamangun velodrome.

The track will also cover the BritAma basketball arena in Kelapa Gading.

The current work is a small part of the administration’s initial plan to develop the transportation system to a 24-kilometer LRT loop line connecting Kelapa Gading and Dukuh Atas in Central Jakarta with nine stations.

“This is only a part of the whole plan. If all stations are complete, the LRT can reduce traffic congestion by as much as 60 percent,” Ahok said.

With construction only having commenced in early January, Jakpro expects 4.65 percent progress in the project by the end of this month, said Jakpro president director Satya Heragandhi.

The work covers drilling and casting to make solid depot foundations, as well as placing an order for rolling stock, which is set to arrive in April.

“Considering the construction development, we are upbeat that the project will be finished as expected,” he added.

Previously, the company faced difficulty in covering the high costs for the LRT construction as well as for the velodrome and the equestrian center.

Around Rp 6.55 trillion (US$492 million) is needed to fund the projects, with the city administration having thus far only agreed to allocate Rp 2.5 trillion by the end of 2016. It remains unclear how the remaining funding can be sourced.

“We are still attempting to ask for more injections from the city administration to cover the costs. Hence, we are currently preparing to propose increased funding from the administration with support from the city council,” said Satya.

Satya said the firm had refused to seek bank loans because of the high interest rates of at least 10 percent annually.

Separately, project manager for the velodrome Iwan Takwin remained optimistic that although the renovation progress was currently at 40 percent, the project could be completed before the deadline in June 2018.

The velodrome will promote Jakarta’s indigenous Betawi culture as the arena will feature wooden Betawi decorations called gigi balang as requested by Ahok.

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