The NCICD project aims to prevent coastal flooding and land subsidence as some parts of the capital city, especially near the northern coast, are sinking up to 12 centimeters a year. The project requires Rp 600 trillion (US$40.22 billion) of investment, according to the Committee for Acceleration of Priority Infrastructure Delivery’s (KPPIP) data.

“The project will reduce the potential for natural disasters, pollution and environmental damage. Furthermore, it will push Jakarta to become a safe metropolitan area,” the ministry’s assistant deputy for infrastructure, urban and water resources, Rahman Hidayat, said in a statement on Monday.

Massive infrastructure development has been one of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo’s main priorities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has halted several infrastructure projects as the government reallocates its budget to fund its fight against the disease while the outbreak disrupts construction activity.

In addition to the NCICD project, the ministry also vowed to continue the coastal barrier development in the northern part of West Java, Jakarta, Central Java and East Java provinces, which stretches for 59.1 kilometers in total and costs around Rp 641.5 billion, as well as the 27-km-long Semarang-Demak toll road in Central Java.

The ministry’s transportation infrastructure deputy Rusli Rahim said in the statement that various port development projects, including the Patimban seaport project in Subang regency in West Java, were showing progress.

According to the ministry’s data, the Patimban seaport terminal and reclamation project had reached 81.9 percent completion as of Sept. 13, while the access bridge construction progress had reached 11.9 percent completion as of Sept. 16.

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