Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung conducted an inspection of dredging work at Cakung Lama River on Jalan Pegangsaan II, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Monday (5/19).

This visit showed the Jakarta Provincial Government's commitment to addressing city's flooding issues.

He explained that the area often experiences water level rises of up to 30-40 centimeters during rainfall, mainly because Cakung Lama River has not been dredged for a long time.

"This shows that the Jakarta Government is earnest and searious in addressing the issues that have been complaints from the residents around Kelapa Gading," he stated.

The Cakung Lama River dredging project has a total length of 8 kilometers and is divided into 11 segments. Pramono hopes this work can be completed by 2027.

In addition to dredging, the city also plans to build Bulak Cabe Pump at the downstream area to strengthen the flood control system.

"At the end, we will also build Bulak Cabe Pump, which hopefully if it is handled well, then the flood problem in Kelapa Gading area can be addressed," he conveyed.

Later, the dredged material from Cakung Lama River will be transported to Ancol and utilized properly. Besides, he also emphasized that this dredging project is carried out without any residents evictions.

"And the most important principle in resolving the handling of Cakung Lama River is that we don't carry out evictions," he asserted.

Jakarta Water Resources (SDA) Sub-agency Acting Head (Plt), Ika Agustin Ningrum, added that the width of Cakung Lama River that being dredged from segment 1 to 10 follows the existing width. However, segment 11 and 12 require additional widening.

She emphasized that land acquisition will be carried out according to the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency Regulation No. 39/2023. According to her, river dredging and widening project has been socialized since last week.

"Of 8 kilometers, the position of segment 1-10 will use the existing width. While the width of segment 11 and 12 on Jalan Bakti will be added around two meters," she explained.

For information, Pegangsaan Dua area often faces floods up to 15-40 centimeters high each year. The flooding is partly caused by sedimentation buildup in Cakung Lama River, riverbank erosion, and buildings along riverbank that narrowing the river.

Bulak Cabe Pump will have a capacity of 3 x 8 m³/second and sludge pump of 2 x 0.25 m³/second. It's being built to help reduce flooding due to the overflow of Cakung Lama River.