TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Traffic Police Chief Insp. Gen. Royke Lumowa said several roads around Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Central Jakarta will be closed today, August 18, ahead of the opening ceremony of 2018 Asian Games at 7 pm.
“We will secure the traffic prior to the Asian Games opening ceremony,” he said at Jakarta Police headquarter, South Jakarta, Saturday, August 18.
According to Royke, the traffic control around the area has been conducted since early morning.
Read: Asian Games Opening; Spectator Expected to Arrive Early at 3 PM
The closure will be done at Jl. Pakubuwono and Jl. Hang Lekir. The police will also block the road along Moestopo University to Senayan City or along Jl. Asia Afrika and the railway near Palmerah Station that close to the police station toward Jl. Lapangan Tembak Senayan.
"It doesn’t mean to obstruct the traffic, instead, to make the traffic smoother," Royke said.
Until this morning, the traffic flow is smooth. Royke mentioned the police will begin to inform road users about the closure at 10 am. He estimated the games' athletes, performers, and spectators will pack the GBK area starting at 2 pm.
The opening ceremony of the international sporting event will begin at 7 pm to 10 pm. Jakarta and Palembang co-host 2018 Asian Games from August 18 to September 2.
LANI DIANA WIJAYA
