Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
To ensure the safety of Jakarta's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, the project's Japanese-Indonesia advisory committee has announced its plans to discuss flood prevention later this year.
The decision was made last week after the first meeting of the committee, which comprises experts and media representatives from both countries.
Japanese Deputy Ambassador Satoru Satoh said Thursday the advisory committee resolved to meet twice a year for two to three years before starting the construction.
The committee has three main agenda items for the coming meetings.
First, Satoh said, would be discussion of possible designs for the MRT. He said designs would have to be able to ensure passengers' safety and security, prevent flooding and provide a plan for mitigating traffic jams during construction.
Second on the agenda were arrangements for the sustainable operation and maintenance of the MRT, as well plans to connect the new system to Jakarta's existing public transport.
As the third item, the committee would also discuss public relations efforts to improve the manners of public transport users, Satoh said.
"The second meeting of the committee we decided would be held in the second half of this year," he said.
During their first meeting last week, committee members also conducted a survey on the MRT project site and reviewed Jakarta's traffic.
According to Satoh, the results of the meeting will be submitted as "recommendations" to Transportation Minister Hatta Rajasa and Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.
The project, which is supported by the Japanese government, will span 14.5 kilometers -- including a 4 km underground section -- connecting Dukuh Atas in Central Jakarta to Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta.
Construction is expected to start in 2008, with the completed MRT up and running by 2014.
The meeting is the first sign of progress since the Japanese government agreed in November last year to provide a US$16.4 million loan to finance preconstruction work. The loan came with an interest rate of .4 percent.
The preconstruction work, which would take 18 to 24 months to complete, includes the design of the principal components of the MRT system and the establishment of a company to manage construction.
Satoh said the Japanese government and the project advisory committee would ensure the tender process is transparent.
"No companies either from Japan or Indonesia have been named to hold the project. The tender auction will be announced later through the media," he said.
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