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Traffic congestion 60 percent worse in Tanah Abang: Study
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Street vendors occupy half of Jl. Jatibaru Raya in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta on Dec. 22, 2017, following the Jakarta administration's policy to dedicate the road to vendors. (JP/Rifky Dewandaru)
T
he Jakarta administration’s policy to close Jl. Jatibaru Raya near Tanah Abang Market in Central Jakarta has made traffic congestion worse in the area. Congestion has increased by 60 percent in the past month, a police report revealed on Friday.
As a consequence, the police have urged the city administration to reopen the road for both public and private vehicles.
Jakarta Police traffic division chief Sr. Comr. Halim Pagarra said in the past month, based on the police study, the closure had caused traffic congestion along Jl. Fachrudin in Central Jakarta and as far as Slipi in West Jakarta.
“We hope that the street [Jl. Jatibaru Raya] can function normally again,” Halim said, as quoted by kompas.com.
He added that the police had already handed a letter of recommendation to the city administration, which comprises at least six essential points. One of the points says that the administration should involve the police traffic division in formulating policies related to traffic management.
The administration, under the leadership of new Governor Anies Baswedan, decided to close Jl. Jatibaru Raya to accommodate hundreds of street vendors.
Critics have emerged, including planning experts and members of the Jakarta Council, saying that the decision contravenes with Bylaw No. 8/2007 on public order, as the bylaw stipulates that vendors are not allowed to sell their goods either on sidewalks or on the streets. (vny)
