Jakarta Canal Project Cracks Homes, Mosque; Residents Complain

Residents in North Jakarta's Pegangsaan Dua village are voicing distress over the negative impacts of the Kali Cakung Lama revitalization project. The ongoing work by the DKI Jakarta Water Resources Agency has allegedly caused cracks in the walls of several homes and a local mosque, Masjid Jami Al-Husna.

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The contour of the mosque's land has become tilted because it is passed by heavy equipment.

Muhammad Ridho, head of the mosque's committee, stated that the cracks are strongly suspected to be a result of the canal's revitalization activities. He explained that the construction of the canal's retaining wall, coupled with the constant movement of heavy equipment and trucks transporting mud and sediment, has led to ground subsidence and damage to the road in front of the mosque. "The contour of the mosque's land has become tilted because it is passed by heavy equipment," Ridho said.

Residents are eager for the project's completion, citing daily disruptions from dust and the sinking roads. They hope for a swift resolution and for their damaged properties to be restored. "We residents want this work to be finished as soon as possible and want it to be like it was before, meaning repaired as it was before," Ridho added.

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We residents want this work to be finished as soon as possible and want it to be like it was before, meaning repaired as it was before.

Despite the inconveniences, Ridho acknowledged the project's positive aspect in finally dredging and repairing the canal, which has long been a source of flooding during the rainy season. However, he lamented a perceived lack of sensitivity from the project implementers regarding the condition of surrounding buildings. "So there are many pluses, but also negatives. Meaning the benefits are many, the impacts are also there. But they should be a bit sensitive in the construction process, look at the buildings one by one," he said.

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So there are many pluses, but also negatives. Meaning the benefits are many, the impacts are also there. But they should be a bit sensitive in the construction process, look at the buildings one by one.

The project has affected at least three neighborhood units (RTs), with residents requesting a collaborative approach to find solutions. The head of RW 03, Roni, has received numerous complaints and hopes the contractor will engage in discussions to find the best way forward. Residents had proposed canal improvements since 2010, making the current revitalization a long-awaited, albeit disruptive, development.

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We want the contractor to sit down together, find the best solution.