President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Ciliwung River Bypass to the East Flood Canal in Jakarta on Monday (31/7). The inauguration was held at the Ciliwung Bypass Inlet area, marked by the opening of the water gate and the signing of the inscription.
The inauguration was also attended by Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, President Director of WIKA Agung Budi Waskito, and President Director of JAKON Sutopo Kristanto.
President Jokowi said that the construction of the Ciliwung River Bypass to the East Flood Canal (KBT) is a step by the government to overcome floods comprehensively from upstream to downstream.
"Alhamdulillah, with the completion of the Ciliwung River Bypass and the normalization of the Ciliwung East Flood Canal, it is hoped that the flood problem can minimize the potential for flooding in 6 sub-districts in DKI Jakarta," said President Jokowi in his remarks.
In its construction, WIKA, which is part of the KSO together with PT Jaya Konstruksi, was appointed by the Ministry of PUPR to work on the double-pipe tunnel from the Inlet (upstream of the Bypass) to the Arriving Shaft along 590 meters, the Permanent Inlet Building connecting the Ciliwung River with the Bypass pipe, and the normalization of the Cipinang River to the East Flood Canal.
Agung Budi Waskito said that this inauguration also marks the success of WIKA-JAKON KSO in completing the bypass project which has a high level of difficulty using the right technology and working methods.
"Hopefully, in the future, the Ciliwung Bypass can function in accordance with the program designed by the Ministry of PUPR and at the same time provide benefits for the entire community of DKI Jakarta," said Agung BW.
The existence of the Ciliwung River Bypass has also raised new hopes for the local community who are often victims of floods, one of them Urip Yanto, a resident who has lived in Bidara Cina Village since 1988.
"Residents do hope that with this bypass, the Ciliwung River will not overflow too much and the Bidara Cina area will not flood every year," he said as reported by the BPMI press release.