Jakarta Relocates Families Living Under Tolls Bridges, Addressing Urban Living Challenges
In a move aimed at improving living conditions and safety for marginalized communities, the Jakarta city administration recently relocated 43 families who were residing beneath the Ir. Wiyoto Wiyono toll road. The families, comprising approximately 200 individuals, were moved from the Pejagalan subdistrict to low-cost rental apartments known as rusunawa.
“In total, around 43 households or about 200 people have been relocated from under this [Jembatan Tiga] toll road,” Acting Head of Pejagalan subdistrict, Tommy Haryono, reported on Monday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
The relocation effort was carried out in two phases on Sunday, with 34 families moving during the morning and the remaining families in the afternoon. The families were dispersed to various rusunawa complexes located throughout the city, including those situated on Jl. Tongkol and Jl. Nagrak, all owned by the Jakarta city administration.
Authorities took the initiative to assist the families in transporting their belongings to their new homes. Following this, the makeshift dwellings under the toll bridge were slated for demolition.
It is estimated that around 500 families called the area under the toll bridge home. As Tommy Haryono explained, only those holding Jakarta ID cards qualified for relocation to the rusunawa units. However, the city administration remains committed to persuading other families residing in the area to relocate to safer and more suitable environments.
The issue of individuals living in precarious conditions under public infrastructure has garnered attention from Jakarta’s leadership. Wawan Budi Rohman, Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs to the North Jakarta City Secretary, previously highlighted the dismal living conditions faced by the families under the toll bridge.
He emphasized that the relocation process didn’t happen abruptly. The city administration provided displaced families with significant relief during the initial transition. They will not be required to pay rent, water, or electricity charges for the first six months of their stay at the rusunawa. After the introductory period, they will still benefit from substantially reduced rent compared to market rates.
The concern about these urban living challenges has also caught the eye of the Indonesian government. Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono took time on Saturday to meet with families who recently moved from under the toll road to a rusunawa in Rawa Buaya.
He highlighted that the relocation effort demonstraated a shared commitment to improving citizen welfare.
"We hope to not only provide a place to live but also create a space for better work opportunities, improved prayer facilities, and an enhanced quality of life," Agus stated as quoted by Antara.
