Pondok Indah residents firm against busway plan

Residents of South Jakarta's upscale Pondok Indah have come out in opposition to the city administration's plans to build the Lebak Bulus-Harmoni busway corridor through the main thoroughfare of Jl. Metro Pondok Indah.

"The construction of the busway lane through Jl. Metro Pondok Indah will destroy the green lanes and the trees," Louis M. Pakaila, a Pondok Indah resident of 12 years, said Monday.

He said residents and housing complex developer PT Metropolitan Kencana had planted some 960 trees over the last 30 years along the right and left pavements, as well as the median strip of the 3.4 kilometer long road.

According to Louis, residents also paid for the construction of infrastructure, including trees, sidewalks, streets and sewers.

"The construction of the busway passing through the main street will harm our environment, causing air pollution and traffic jams," he added.

In spite of the protests, the head of the traffic management division of the city's transportation agency M. Akbar said the median strip was designed to be demolished in the event of work to widen the road.

"(The median strip) was supposed to be temporary in nature," Akbar said.

The head of the city's transportation agency Nurachman tried to reassure anxious residents while at City Hall Monday. "We will not destroy the trees," he said.

"We can replant the trees anyway if we cut them down."

But one Pondok Indah resident, Mugirto, expressed his doubts at Nurachman's reassurances. "That's impossible. Where do they want to plant them? Up on a mountain? There'll be no space left after the construction."

Pondok Indah residents, including Luis, sent an official letter asking for support from the City Council on Monday.

The residents suggested two alternatives to the current plan: moving the two-line corridor to Jl. Ciputat Raya, or making the planned corridor terminate at the Blue Mosque at the Pondok Indah Mall cross road.

"Passengers can use feeder buses to transport them to and from the Lebak Bulus bus terminal," Louis said.

However, Akbar said feeder buses would not have a large enough capacity to transport passengers from Lebak Bulus.

According to an early 2007 map from busway operator Transjakarta, busway corridor VIII will pass through Jl. Metro Pondok Indah on its way from Harmoni to Lebak Bulus, and pass through Jl. Ciputat Raya while heading in the opposite direction.

However, Akbar said the Transjakarta map was incorrect and that both lanes of the corridor would pass through Jl. Metro Pondok Indah.

The city administration will start the construction of corridor VIII this month and is aiming to finish by early 2008.

Louis earlier said he had sent several open letters to Governor Sutiyoso and South Jakarta mayor Syahrul Effendi but had not received any replies.

Sutiyoso earlier said: "Those opposing the busway idea must be the rich. But I will prioritize the interests of the majority over the minority in Pondok Indah."

Nurachman was quoted by detik news portal as saying: "Pondok Indah is not a country of its own, but we will have a dialog and find the best solution for this issue".

"Those were a very provocative statements, which stigmatize residents of Pondok Indah, while all we're asking for is a healthy environment to live in," Louis said. (07)