Medan City Government Ensures Normalization Of Bedera River Begins This Year

Mayor of Medan Bobby Nasution/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

MEDAN - The Medan City Government, North Sumatra, said that the normalization of the Bedera River to overcome the flood problem will begin this year. Normalization is carried out by the Sumatran River Basin Agency (BWSS) II.

"The determination of the location for the normalization of the Bedera River has been carried out, and the assessment continues. Meanwhile, the Ministry of PUPR has budgeted for the construction through BWSS II," said Medan City Bappeda Head Benny Iskandar, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, January 11.

The location for the normalization of the Bedera River, he explained, covers the area of Medan City and Deli Serdang Regency. In Medan, it starts from the river flow in the Gatot Suboroto Street area to the toll road meeting on Jalan Dormitory.

In Deli Serdang Regency, he said, the normalization position of the Bedera River starts from the confluence of the toll road to the downstream for one kilometer.

"For land acquisition in the Medan City area, the city government has budgeted Rp45 billion. This amount is still short of the total acquisition cost of Rp75 billion," said Benny.

It is estimated that the Deli Serdang Regency area requires a land acquisition budget of Rp. 11 billion.

"We are still asking BWSS to increase the budget for land acquisition, and that has been agreed by BWSS. We are optimistic that in 2022 the process of land acquisition and physical development can begin," he said.

Normalization of the Bedera River, he said, would reduce flooding around the Perumnas Helvetia area and the Helvetia area on the East and West coasts to Jalan Amal Luhur and its surroundings.