Revealed, Experts From China And ITB Are Trusted To Work On The 1.052-meter Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train Tunnel In Purwakarta

Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail Tunnel. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC) has confirmed that the construction of the Tunnel 2 tunnel for the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project, which is disturbed by clay conditions, has involved experts.

They said the handling of the soil structure at the tunnel site had involved experts from China and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to overcome these geographical barriers.

"The experts from China and ITB will be maximized to transfer knowledge to all high-speed train workers at construction points," said KCIC President Director Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi in a statement, quoted from Antara, Friday, January 14.

Previously, the construction of Tunnel 2, which is located in Purwakarta, West Java, became one of the construction points that had high challenges because it was located in clay shale.

This type of soil has characteristics that are easily weathered when exposed during excavation, so that it has the potential to cause movement of the embankment construction and the road above it.

"Tunnel 2 is indeed one of the most difficult points. Its location is in a clay shale area whose soil characteristics are easily weathered when exposed during excavation. For this reason, caution is needed in the process and cannot be done in a hurry," said Dwiyana.

Furthermore, Dwiyana explained that experienced experts were brought in to help the surface of the tunnel because they are very familiar with the grouting method that has been used to work on several high-speed rail tunnel projects.

"We admit that tunneling 2 which is located in clay shale area requires special handling. Due to the work using the grouting method, we gathered tunnel experts who mastered grouting to help strengthen the tunnel surface," he said.

Thanks to this collaboration, he ensures that these geographical challenges can be overcome because the work process is gradually improving and the work can reach 1.2 meters to 3 meters per day.

"We are trying optimally so that the construction of Tunnel 2 runs smoothly, has good quality, is safe and can be completed according to the planned target," continued Dwiyana.

As of December 2021, the construction of the 1.052-meter-long tunnel has reached 67 percent. With the remaining work remaining, the transfer of knowledge from the involvement of tunnel experts is expected to help accelerate construction, which in total has reached 79 percent.

"With the transfer of knowledge from the involvement of the experts, it is hoped that it can help accelerate the development of this project with the high-speed train construction standards," said Dwiyana.

According to him, the exchange of knowledge between experts is very much needed in working on the high-speed rail project and for the progress of construction development in Indonesia in the future.

"For us, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project must be utilized as well as possible to encourage the progress of the construction and railway sector in Indonesia, since the construction process," said Dwiyana.

The Tunnel 2 project, which is located in Bunder Village, Jatiluhur, Purwakarta Regency, has also been reviewed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan on Wednesday, January 12.

On this occasion, Luhut said that according to the expert's explanation, the problem of the condition of the clay soil could be resolved. Even the completion of the tunnel is targeted for completion in April 2022.