Indonesia: Phase One of Jakarta's Giant Sea Wall Project on Track

Lenny Tristia Tambun Jakarta Globe 11 Nov 15;

Jakarta. Construction of the first stage of Jakarta's Giant Sea Wall project is on track to be completed by 2017, a representative of the Jakarta Development Planning Agency has said.

The construction, included in the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) project, takes place over three phases with phase A currently underway.

Phase A focuses on straightening the wall, slowing down the lowering of ground level, accelerating water sanitation and improving drainage pumps.

Construction of external sea walls will be completed during phase B, with phase C involving the construction of ports and improving the local economy. The two final phases are targeted for completion by 2050.

“We are now working on the phase A, while phase B on the west and phase C on the east still require research. We have to learn about the environmental impact assessment of both phases first,” Tuty Kusumawati, head of the Jakarta Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), said on Tuesday.

The Jakarta provincial government will build eight of the total 32 kilometer length of the sea wall during the first phase, with the remainder the responsibility of developers Kapuk Naga Indah, Agung Podomoro, Jaya Ancol Development and Intiland Development.

The Ministry of Public Works and the Jakarta provincial government have allocated Rp 1.6 trillion ($117 million) over three years to the project.

“The city-run agency for Ciliwung–Cisadane Rivers Area [BBWSCC] is currently working on the Detail Engineering Design needed for phase A as a reference in dividing the construction tasks: how many kilometers each responsible party is assigned to work on,” Tuty said.

While awaiting completion of the engineering report, the agency is strengthening existing sea walls which are leaking. Phase A is expected to be completed by 2017.

The sea walls are designed to protect the capital from possible tidal flood as Jakarta's ground level continues to sink lower each year and global warming prompts rising sea levels.

Jakarta Governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, visited the Netherlands in September to learn first-hand about urban flood management.