Andrew Tito, Jakarta – The Jakarta provincial government has officially launched a large-scale flood control initiative worth Rp2.62 trillion ($156.25 million), aiming to strengthen the capital's resilience against chronic flooding and coastal inundation.

The program, dubbed JakTirta, focuses on reinforcing embankments in northern Jakarta, expanding water retention capacity, and upgrading pumping systems that form the backbone of the city's flood mitigation efforts.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said JakTirta is designed as a medium-term strategy to address flooding and tidal inundation, which have long plagued Indonesia's capital.

"This is our systematic effort to manage water and strengthen Jakarta's protection from floods," Pramono said during the signing of contracts between the Jakarta Water Resources Agency and several contractors on Wednesday.

The JakTirta program consists of several integrated work packages that will be implemented in parallel. The first focuses on strengthening Jakarta's polder systems and flood control pumps, which remain critical for draining low-lying areas during heavy rainfall.

The second involves the construction of retention ponds and reservoirs to expand water storage capacity, allowing excess rainwater to be temporarily held before being released in a controlled manner.

The third component covers the construction and reinforcement of embankments, including sections integrated with the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) project, aimed at protecting coastal areas from tidal flooding and rising sea levels.

The fourth focuses on river and canal improvements, including increasing channel capacity so waterways can accommodate higher water volumes during periods of intense rainfall.

"All of these packages are being implemented simultaneously and in a sustained manner," Pramono said. "The goal is to significantly strengthen Jakarta's flood resilience."

The JakTirta program is scheduled to run through the end of 2027. By then, the provincial government expects visible improvements in embankments, reservoirs, retention ponds, and overall water control systems across the city.

"Hopefully by 2027, the condition of Jakarta's embankments, reservoirs, and flood control systems will be far better than today," Pramono said.

He also stressed that JakTirta differs from river rehabilitation projects such as the Ciliwung River and East Flood Canal initiatives. While rehabilitation focuses on widening rivers, JakTirta prioritizes increasing the capacity of existing waterways.

"This project is not about widening rivers," Pramono said. "The rivers already exist. What we do is deepen them, strengthen their structures, and build embankments to increase capacity."

Several JakTirta work packages will be carried out along the Angke River and Besar Gerahan canal. Planned reservoirs and retention ponds will be built in Kebagusan, Pondok Labu, and Sunter Hulu.

Pramono said the project is no longer hindered by land acquisition issues, with all administrative and land clearance processes completed. Construction, he added, can now proceed without delay.

"Land acquisition for JakTirta is finished. What remains is physical construction in the field," he said.

Separately, Pramono briefly addressed plans to develop waste-to-energy power plants at the Bantargebang landfill, saying the Jakarta government is coordinating closely with the central government on proposals to build two such facilities.

"All the strategic decisions have been signed," he said. "We are just waiting for the right time to announce them officially."

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakarta-launches-rp262-trillion-flood-control-projec