Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung inspected the progress of the Kali Cakung Lama normalization project on Jalan Gading Griya Lestari, Sukapura, Cilincing, North Jakarta, Thursday (8/13). The inspection aimed to ensure that flood mitigation efforts in North Jakarta are proceeding according to target.

Pramono has set a target to sign the land acquisition decree for the Kampung Begog area—the primary obstacle to water flow—as early as next month.

"Regarding the Cakung Lama normalization, I hope to sign the location determination for Kampung Begog by next month. This area is the major bottleneck before the water reaches the estuary," he expressed.

The Cakung Lama normalization project is slated for completion by 2028. Once finished, it is expected to significantly slash flood risks by 20% in Kelapa Gading and Cilincing sub-districts.

"We expect this to reduce the flooding in this area by 20 percent," he explained.

He emphasized that normalization efforts are not limited to Cakung Lama River, but also extend to the Ciliwung and Krukut rivers. He issued a stern warning against the involvement of intermediaries or middlemen in any of these projects. To streamline land acquisition, the Water Resources Agency will set up command posts to directly address public grievances.

"Thankfully, by using this direct approach—especially in Ciliwung—we have seen real results where water levels no longer surge to the surface as they did in the past," he added.

Jakarta Water Resources Agency Head, Ika Agustin Ningrum detailed that while the Cakung Lama River spans approximately 12 kilometers in total, the current normalization phase through March 2027 targets a strategic 2.6-kilometer stretch.

“For the activities leading up to March 2027, we're working on roughly 2.6 kilometers along one side, which totals 5.2 kilometers when considering both riverbanks. Currently, about one kilometer has been completed, and we are firmly on track to finish the full 2.6-kilometer segment by March 2027,” she explained.

By 2028, the Water Resources Agency aims to complete a total of 5 kilometers of construction along the Cakung Lama River. This includes a 2.6-kilometer stretch spanning Zones 1 through 3, and an additional 3 kilometers in the Kampung Begog area.

"The master plan for the Cakung Lama River project is strategically designed to resolve the long-standing flood issues in Kelapa Gading Sub-district," she remarked.

Historically, the Cakung Lama River had become a major flood risk due to years of siltation and structural narrowing. Clogged by sediment and erratic riverbanks, the channel was unable to handle heavy rains, often leading to overflow in neighboring districts.

The current normalization project is a direct solution to these challenges. By expanding the river’s capacity and unclogging its flow, the city aims to protect the Cilincing and Kelapa Gading catchment zones from flash floods.

Further, the construction of levees in the Pegangsaan Dua and Sukapura sub-districts is a strategic component of this upgrade, designed to fortify the river’s capacity and mitigate stagnant water in the surrounding neighborhoods.