Jakarta to start building long-awaited metro this year
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Commuters drive in heavy traffic in Jakarta. The Indonesian capital will soon start construction of a metro system to try to unravel its infamous traffic jams, 26 years after the idea was first mooted. -- PHOTO: AFP
JAKARTA (AFP) - Jakarta will soon start construction of a metro system to try to unravel its infamous traffic jams, 26 years after the idea was first mooted, officials said on Monday.
The city administration and the central government finally agreed last week on how to split the cost, with 49 per cent to be paid by the central government.
The city initially wanted to pay 42 per cent of the cost, but it finally agreed on 51 per cent, said Mr Eko Hariyadi, a Jakarta administration spokesman.
Mr Hariyadi said construction would start this year, pending an announcement of the winner of the tender.
