President Jokowi Inaugurates Nanjung Tunnel Project in Bandung

President Jokowi inaugurates Nanjung Bridge and inspects the Signing of Contract Projects Year 2020 in Bandung, West Java province, Wednesday (29/1). (Photo: Rahmat/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday (29/1) inaugurated Nanjung Tunnel project, which is expected to reduce flooding in Bandung, the provincial capital of West Java province.

“Alhamdulillah the construction of the Nanjung Tunnel as one of flood control systems in Bandung has been completed,” the President said.

The flood control system in Bandung, according to the President, consists of several major projects, namely normalization in the headwaters of Citarum river, construction of reservoirs in Gedebage, construction of retention ponds in Cieunteung, construction of flood ways in Cisangkuy, as well as the newly-inaugurated Nanjung Tunnel.

“The Government is planning to complete one or two more projects this year, especially the flood way and retention ponds. If those projects can be completed within 2020, hopefully flooding will no longer threaten Bandung city,” the President said.

President Jokowi also cited report from Governor of West Java province Ridwan Kamil that the flooding in Bandung and the surrounding areas has dropped dramatically in 2019, from 490 to 80 cases. The number of areas affected by the flooding has also dropped from 159,000 to 77,000, he added.

“Once the flood way and retention pond projects are completed, the figure may drop more significantly,” the President said, while reminding that land rehabilitation along Citarum river and reforestation at the hill should also be done at the same time. (TGH/EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas