RI govt speeds up housing program for Senen rail-side community

 Indonesia government is advancing the development of proper housing for residents of a slum area along railway tracks in Senen, Central Jakarta, as Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya inspected the construction site 

According to a Cabinet Secretariat Instagram post, Wijaya said he, together with the state-run railway company KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin, visited the housing complex in the morning to review construction progress.

As instructed by President Prabowo Subianto, he explained the government is developing decent and comfortable homes for rail-side residents, who have lived near the Pasar Senen Station for decades, noting their poor living conditions despite being only two kilometers from downtown.

President Subianto issued the order after making a spontaneous visit to the slum on March 26, he added.

Wijaya further explained that the new complex is located approximately 500 meters from Pasar Senen railway tracks and houses proper dwelling places, complete with toilets and washing sites, places of worship, a children's playground, and other supporting facilities.

"Construction is being carried out quickly by the Ministry of Housing in collaboration with several state-owned enterprises," he said.

The cabinet secretary concluded by confirming that the government intends to extend the housing initiative to residents in other regions with similar characteristics to improve quality of life.

"Settlement reconfiguration will reach other locations gradually," Wijaya concluded.

Earlier, Housing and Settlements Minister Maruarar Sirait noted that the government aims to complete construction of 324 homes for Senen railway slum residents by June 15 this year.

"Construction will be completed within two months," he told the press at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on April 6.

Sirait added that KAI is also planning to build another 500 homes for residents living along the tracks in Kramat, East Jakarta.