Deeper pockets needed to finance Deep Tunnel: Guv

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The project to build a 22-kilometer tunnel to solve Jakarta's chronic water and transportation problems will likely cost some Rp 16.3 trillion (US$1.8 billion), four times the budget proposed in February.

Governor Sutiyoso said Monday that 30 percent of investment for the project would come from the central government and the city's budget.

"I'm inviting the private sector to fund the project," he said.

Sutiyoso expressed optimism that the private sector would invest in the Jakarta Multi Purpose Deep Tunnel project, since they would stand to reap a large amount of revenue from the electricity, water and fertilizers produced in the tunnel.

It is estimated that the tunnel will generate around Rp 2.2 trillion each year from the operation of two levels of roadway and a waste water reservoir.

Waste water from the tunnel will be processed to become clean water in North Jakarta's Pluit dam to help meet the water requirements of up to 1.5 million residents.

The tunnel will also produce hydroelectricity and fertilizer from the wastewater process.

For around two weeks of high rainfall each year, the entire tunnel, including roadways, will turn into a massive duct for channeling rainwater.

According to the Jakarta Water Supply Regulatory Body, which initiated the project, the area above the roadways will be used as a utility tunnel.

The entire tunnel will be constructed 15 meters below the West Flood Canal project with entrances in Balekambang, East Jakarta and Manggarai, South Jakarta and exits in Tanah Abang, Roxy and the airport in Cengkareng, Tangerang.

"The project is a good alternative for Jakarta since land acquisition won't be necessary to bring the tunnel about," said Achmad Lanti, the head of the regulatory body.

Achmad said he hoped the tunnel would be finished by 2014, although he admitted such a projection was based on the smooth running of the project.

The city administration will hold an international seminar on the deep tunnel on May 24 to attract investors to fund the project.

The seminar will be attended by representatives from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and other international financial institutions.