Problems Hinder High-Speed Rail Construction

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The high-speed rail project developed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-Cina (KCIC) has run into several problems. It has not been two years since the project started in 2020, but there are at least four major problems that have already hindered the project.

1. Project Causing Flood and Congestion

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) had instructed to temporarily stop the project in March 2020 because it caused flooding on the Jakarta – Cikampek Toll Road and severe congestion that obstructs logistics distribution.

KCIC claimed that they had done preventive action by identifying the environment-linked risks so the construction can run smoothly.

2. Investment Swells to IDR 27 Trillion

In mid-2021, the investment costs for the project swelled to IDR 27,17 trillion. KCIC management explained that the cause of the surge was Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) processes and land acquisition. The land acquisition process was hard because the tracks are huge in size and are planned to run through commercial areas.

The estimated cost overrun is currently USD 1,4 to 1,9 billion or equals to IDR 27,17 trillion. Indonesia, which is represented by a consortium of state-owned companies owed IDR 4,1 trillion to the project.

3. Falling Column Hit Excavator

A video published last December 2021 showed a column fell on top of two excavators as the excavators were about to demolish the column. KCIC President Director, Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi provide his responses and said that the company will not tolerate any construction errors that exceeded the predetermined margin of error.

Initially, KCIC and CDJO Consultant quality team discovered a shift in the column's alignment and instructed the contractor to dismantle it and rebuild it according to predetermined specifications.

4. Clay Soil Troubles the Project

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan recently mentioned that the clay soil at the construction site can disturb the project. Following a site visit to the location at Tunnel 2 in Bunder Village, Jatiluhur, Luhut concluded that the land condition is improving and have to be anticipated.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | CAESAR AKBAR