Kereta Api starts construction of Kota-Tanjung Priok railway

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta 

State railway company PT Kereta Api started rehabilitation today of the nine-kilometer rail line from Kota to Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta. 

"Construction began today at Kampung Bandan station," said Akmad Sujadi, Kereta Api's Jakarta spokesperson, as quoted by kompas.com. 

The Kota-Tanjung Priok railbed and track were built long ago, but have fallen into disrepair because of lack of use. Illegal houses have also sprouted up along the railroad. 

Akhmad Sujadi said Kereta Api had given an ultimatum to the remaining squatters along the railway to remove their houses by Friday when Kereta Api would remove any remaining dwellings by force. 

"So far people have voluntarily removed about 70 percent of the buildings," he said, adding the rail line from Kota to Ancol was relatively free off squatters. The challenging stretch would be from Ancol to Tanjung Priok where many squatters have refused to leave. 

Akhmad said Kereta Api plans to regreen the area with 3,000 plantings after squatters have been cleared off. (rid)