Govt prepares Rp 1.2t for railway revitalization

Eny Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 03/26/2010 11:10 AM

The government has prepared budget of Rp 1.2 trillion (US$131.6 million) to relocate squatters living next to three major railway stations in Jakarta, with some to be returned to their regions of origin, in a bid to restore the facilities.

The government has chosen three stations — Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta, Kota in West Jakarta and Senen in Central Jakarta — in its pilot project to clean up slum areas around the stations. As of last year, around 4,000 families resided at the stations.

Coordinating People’s Welfare Minister Agung Laksono told a press briefing on Thursday that the budget for the moves would come from the 2010 and 2011 state budget allocations. This money would mainly be used to build low-cost rental apartments (rusunawa) for the squatters and to construct fences and parks around the stations.

It was not immediately clear when the apartment development projects would begin, nor the locations, but Agung said “we expect the relocation and revitalization programs at those stations will be completed by 2011. If they are successful we will continue in other provinces.”

Deputy Governor Prijanto said the city administration would begin the relocation only once the construction of the low-cost rental apartments was complete.

Prijanto said his office had allocated Rp 10 billion to build roads along the railway routes. “These roads will be five meters away from the tracks and will enable fire trucks to enter the area if there are fires.”

Another Rp 2 billion would be spent to build parks and waste facilities at the stations, he said.

Also present at press briefing were Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Social Services Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufrie and State Public Housing Minister Suharso Monoarfa.

Around 1,000 mahogany seedlings were planted around the three stations during the event.

“The stations [had no squatters] when we visited them last year. But now, we see the squatters have returned,” Agung said, adding that optimal efforts were needed to address the problem.

Agung said his office would coordinate with the Social Affairs Ministry, Public Works Ministry, State Public Housing Ministry and city administration to organize the slum areas.

“Those who possess Jakarta identity cards will keep on staying at the capital. But some of those lacking ID will be returned to their regions of origin,” he said.

State railway company (PT KA) Greater Jakarta spokesman Sugeng Priyono said the directorate general for railway affairs at the Transportation Ministry should build a three-meter-high fence around railway stations to prevent squatters from occupying the areas.

Sugeng said evicting the squatters was a complicated procedure that required synergy between various departments.

“In this case, the railway company will help facilitate transport costs to return the squatters free of charge,” he said.