Jakarta LRT Will Check Velodrome Station Which Is Called Flooding Residents

Light Rail Transit (LRT) on the Velodrome-Kelapa Gading route. (ANTARA-Rivan Awal L)

PT LRT Jakarta responded to complaints from residents who claimed their settlements were flooded due to construction and operation of Velodrome Station in East Jakarta. This complaint was previously submitted by a member of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD M. Taufik Zoelkifli.

Head of Corporate Secretary Division of PT LRT Jakarta, Sheila Indira Mahardi, said that his party would check all operational components of the Velodrome LRT Station, which residents said caused flooding.

"The Jakarta LRT periodically checks infrastructure around the LRTJ operational area so as not to cause negative impacts for the environment and local residents," Sheila told reporters quoted on Friday, June 9.

Sheila admitted that her party was open to receiving complaints and reports submitted by residents regarding the operation of the light train that had been operating since 2019.

"Even now, the Jakarta LRT has a system that has been integrated with JAKI regarding these reports and complaints that we always follow up on to completion," he said.

Previously, Member of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, M. Taufik Zoelkifli, admitted that he received complaints from residents that the Jakarta Velodrome LRT Station caused the surrounding settlements to be flooded.

Velodrome Station is located between Jati and Rawamangun sub-districts, Pulogadung sub-district, East Jakarta. Taufik submitted this complaint at a meeting of Commission B of the DKI DPRD with PT LRT Jakarta.

"The problem that arose there, coincidentally it was my electoral district, there were complaints from residents before the Velodrome there was an LRT station, the area was not flooded, he said. But after there was a station, he said there was a flood. So, the Velodrome LRT Station poles became suspects in the flood," said Taufik at the DKI Jakarta DPRD Building, Wednesday, June 7.

Taufik said that he had previously submitted this complaint to the sub-district and local village heads. However, residents have not yet found a solution from the government regarding the flood problem.

"I've spoken to the sub-district head, village head, all kinds of things, later I'll just see exactly what it looks like," he said.

Taufik then asked the Jakarta LRT to examine further the causes of flooding around the mode of transportation area and the certainty of the impact caused by the existence of the Jakarta LRT station.

"Maybe there is a study from the LRT. But the LRT does need to open itself up for things related to the impact of the surrounding environment," he said.

It is known that the Jakarta Velodrome LRT Station is one of six stations operating on the Pegangsaan Dua-Velodrome route.

Other stations in phase 1 of the LRT are Pegangsaan Dua, North Boulevard, South Boulevard, Pulomas, and Equestrian. This 5.8 kilometer LRT route crosses Jalan Raya Kelapa Nias, Jalan Boulevard Raya, Jalan Kayu Putih Raya, Jalan Balap Bicycle, to Jalan Velodrome.