Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – The Jakarta government has begun relocating residents living along the banks of the Ciliwung River as part of a river-widening and dredging project aimed at increasing water capacity and reducing flood risks during the rainy season.
Governor Pramono Anung said on Sunday that administrative processes for land acquisition at 14 locations have been completed, with some affected residents already receiving compensation.
"All 14 locations have been designated and signed off by me – land acquisition is underway," Pramono told reporters.
Relocations are focused on flood-prone areas such as Bidara Cina and Cawang, where overflow from the Ciliwung frequently inundates neighborhoods. Pramono said construction of river embankments by the central government is expected to begin next month.
"In Bidara Cina and Cawang, we've marked the properties – yellow means unpaid, red means paid. Hopefully, by March, the Public Works Ministry will start building the embankments," he said.
The Cilitung River normalization involves widening river channels, dredging sediment buildup, reinforcing embankments, and clearing illegal structures along riverbanks to restore natural flow capacity.
Jakarta has long adopted the river normalization strategy to help major rivers carry larger volumes of rainwater during peak storms, reducing overflow into surrounding neighborhoods. The program typically combines physical infrastructure upgrades with land acquisition and resident relocation. It forms part of the capital's broader effort to address chronic flooding caused by rapid urbanization, land subsidence, and extreme rainfall.
The Ciliwung project has drawn support from former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who urged Jakarta to accelerate the development of vertical housing as a long-term solution to flooding and traffic congestion.
"The future of cities must be vertical. In Southeast Asia, only Jakarta and Manila have yet to fully embrace vertical living. If housing goes upward, more land below can absorb rainwater," Kalla said.
Demolition began in parts of Cawang on Feb. 4, 2026, after residents received compensation. Land clearance is being carried out in phases. In 2025, the city cleared 20 plots totaling 1,647 square meters. This year, Jakarta is targeting 136 housing plots covering about 10,570 square meters.
Separately, Jakarta Water Resources Agency head Ika Agustin said compensation payments are still ongoing. Once payments are completed, the remaining structures will be demolished immediately so river normalization work can enter the construction phase.
"Properties paid for in 2025 are currently being demolished. For the 2026 targets, land acquisition is still in progress, and demolition can only begin after all compensation has been settled," Ika said.