REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Light rail transit (LRT) will not be available to support the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta as its construction is impossible to reach completion in the near future. One of the problem that hindered the construction was land clearing issue.

"The time left is only four months. LRT Jakarta can not be completed in time for Asian Games. The venues are numerous. Six places in Jakarta. It is impossible to wait for LRT to finish," Kalla said to reporters after receiving information from Director of PT Adhi Karya Budi Harto at the Vice President's Office, Jakarta, on Wednesday (April 11).

Kalla said the government have prepared buses to transport Asian Games' athletes from their housing to the venue, among others in Senayan, Sunter, and Cempaka Putih. Special lines for contingents and stakeholders during the 2018 Asian Games events also will be made available during the August to September event.

"We decide, the contingent's bus line must be free (from obstacles). Perhaps we can make a special line for Asian Games," he explained.

Kalla explained that a number of problems hindered LRT construction. Coordination with the central government ie Ministry of Transportation, the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta and several state-owned enterprises were needed. 

"It should be coordinated. If the LRT is not coordinated with the MRT and Transjakarta, people will be confused. So there must be authority," he said. 

LRT project was planned to be used to transport the contingent of Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang. Until now, for the Asian Games in Jakarta, LRT construction can not be completed. Meanwhile, LRT Palembang can be operated for contingent.

Earlier, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi has said that the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction projects would not be stalled.

"MRT and LRT projects need huge costs and heavy preparations. Therefore, the MRT project will be completed by 2018 and the LRT project to connect Bekasi and Bogor will be completed by 2019 as planned; I assure you the projects will not be stalled," he stated in a written statement on October 6, 2017.

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