TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Public Works and Public Housing Ministry worked together with Japan International Cooperation Agency to handle subsiding land surface in Jakarta. The cooperation was officiated through signing Record of Discussion (RoD) The Project for Promoting Countermeasures Against Land Subsidence in Jakarta, on Friday, July 28.
Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry’s Water Resources Directorate General Imam Santoso stated that Japan was chosen for their experience in handling 4 meters of land surface in Tokyo. Land subsidence in Tokyo had taken place since the 1920’s and it was stopped in 1970.
"The measures Japan implemented at the time were issuing a regulation on securing alternative water sources for the industrial sector and issuing a regulation on the suction of ground water. Until today, land subsidence in Tokyo is nearly zero," Imam explained.
Based on records of PUPR Ministry’s Water Resources Directorate General, Jakarta’s land surface subsides 5-12 cm a year. If this continues, Jakarta will be more prone to tidal waves and floods. Another impact is, Imam added, it increases the risk of damage to infrastructure including roads, bridges, building degradation which entails lower property value.
EGI ADYATAMA
