(KPL/VNA) Construction of a 24.5-km mass rapid transit line connecting Tomang, West Jakarta, with Medan Satria, a district in Bekasi city, West Java - one of Jakarta's satellite cities began on September 11. It is expected to be completed in 2031.

This is the first phase of a project on building a 87-km line connecting Balaraja in Banten and Cikarang in West Java. The next phase is anticipated to begin in 2033.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, President Joko Widodo stressed that the line will improve Jakarta's public transportation system, noting that the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system has served around 120 million passengers since becoming operational in 2019.

The new line will be built simultaneously with Phase 2A of the North-South MRT Line, which is expected to be completed in 2027, said MRT Jakarta president director Tuhiyat. This is an extension to North Jakarta, from the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout to Kota Tua, West Jakarta, which is now 40% complete.

Previously, in 2019, Jakarta's first MRT line was put into operation, spanning 16km long, connecting the Hotel Indonesia roundabout to Lebak Bulus (South Jakarta).

The Jakarta MRT project will be further extended to South Tangerang, Banten, from Lebak Bulus station, which is the main artery leading to the centre of Jakarta. This plan was previously postponed due to financial constraints.

KPL