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Bad weather biggest obstacle for LRT development
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Workers install rail tracks at Depo Station in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, as part of the light rapid transit (LRT) project, on Jan. 25. (JP/roi)
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atural disasters and bad weather have become the main obstacles to finishing the first phase of the light rapid transit (LRT) transportation project in time, an executive has said.
The first phase of the project had reached 57 percent completion as of Thursday, with seven months left before the planned launch in August to welcome the 2018 Asian Games.
President director of city-owned construction company PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), Satya Heragandhi, said finishing the first phase, to connect Depo Station in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, to Velodrome Station in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, within a short period of time was a challenge for Jakpro, especially as the weather in Jakarta was unpredictable.
“Weather conditions are always something we worry about. Heavy rain can cause flooding and heavy congestion, which makes it difficult for us to access the LRT site,” said Satya on Thursday. As the rainy season continues, Jakarta has also recently been hit by earthquakes.
Satya also said working in bad weather posed a risk for workers, so they tended to postpone construction activities if the weather turned bad.
LRT Jakarta project director Allan Tandiono said the company was currently focused on rail track and network system installation as well as the development of six stations.
"We plan to conduct the first test drive in May to check the network system from Depo Station to Velodrome Station. We want to ensure that everything is well-operated and safe before we launch," Allan told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. (roi)
