Jakarta MRT Entering Construction Preparation Phase

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said that the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system was now entering the construction preparation stage.

"The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has issued a No Objection Letter (NOL) on the plan to construct the MRT, and a prequalification tender has also been held to follow up the NOL," the Jakarta governor said here last week.

A total of 10 consortiums or joint operation contractors were said to have passed the prequalification tender for the construction of the first phase of Jakarta MRT project that would link Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta with Hotel Indonesia Traffic Circle in Central Jakarta (the north-south phase).

"We hope the contracts with the consortiums would be signed September next year, but work on supporting infrastructures are expected to start next April," the governor said.

Fauzi said that he had instructed PT MRT to carry out supporting infrastructures such as land clearance, the widening of Jalan Fatmawati, relocation of Lebak Bulus Soccer stadium, arrangement of passenger transportation at Lebak Bulus bus terminal and the relocation of a number bus shelters so that the target to operate the MRT in 2016 would be achieved.