TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Jakarta said that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating high risks to the entire MRT project, which is currently entering phase 2 of construction. The contractor's interest in contributing has also dampened.

Mass Rapid Transit Jakarta president director William Sabandar, said there are obstacles in the procurements of the CP202, CP205, and CP206 work contract packages. The CP202 contract package is for infrastructure work from Harmoni-Mangga Besar, CP205 for the rail and rail system, and CP206 for the procurement of rolling stock.

"The lack of Japanese contractors' involvement and interest in the project has resulted in a very high bargaining position for them—especially for railway systems and rolling stock packages. It is now very high," he said in a written statement, Sunday, October 18.

The MRT Phase 2 project is not open to contractors from other countries - only Japan. This, William said, is because this project is financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency Official Development Assistance (JICA ODA) Loan under a Special Terms for Economic Partnership (Tied Loan) scheme.

Due to these constraints, William said, the company has split the MRT Phase 2 into two construction segments. The first segment is for the HI-Harmoni roundabout route — targeted for completion March 2025. The second segment, Harmoni-Kota, is likely to be delayed until mid-2027.

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LANI DIANA WIJAYA