Public criticism arises after roof leak at Cawang LRT Station in Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA: The Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Bekasi Light Rail Transit (LRT Jabodebek) was officially inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on 28 August 2023, at Cawang Station in Jakarta.

This marked the introduction of a new mode of train transportation, offering commuters an alternative to existing options such as the Electric Rail Train (KRL) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

However, shortly after its inauguration, the LRT system faced an unforeseen challenge.

On Saturday (4 Nov), during heavy rainfall, one of the roofs of the LRT station, particularly the building connecting Cawang LRT Jabodebek Station, unexpectedly collapsed.

A video capturing this incident was shared on the jalur5_ X account, clearly showing how the roof gave way under the weight of the rain.

Atap bangunan penghubung Stasiun Cawang LRT Jabodebek jebol

Hari Sabtu (4/11) dilaporkan atap bangunan penghubung Stasiun Cawang @LRTJabodebek jebol saat hujan. Akibatnya air hujan langsung turun ke lantai bangunan penghubung tersebut.

Bangunan yang atapnya jebol ini merupakan… pic.twitter.com/0gIZfwcHhO

— Jalur5 Community (@jalur5_) November 4, 2023

The collapse of the roof resulted in rainwater pouring directly onto the floor of the connecting building.

The video footage depicts a significant amount of water entering the station through the damaged roof, leading to the presence of standing water within the building.

It’s important to note that the affected building was an additional station structure designed to facilitate access to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) building, the Transjakarta bus stop (TJ), and the Karya State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) offices located across the toll road.

This unforeseen event prompted worries regarding the LRT Jabodebek system’s strength and readiness

This unexpected incident raised concerns about the structural integrity and preparedness of the LRT Jabodebek system to handle adverse weather conditions and prompted discussions about necessary repairs and improvements.

The video in question has garnered significant attention, with over 1.9 million views as of this writing, and has provoked a wave of criticism from netizens.

Many of these individuals express their regret over the numerous issues that have plagued the LRT project, despite its relatively recent opening to the public.

This dissatisfaction extends beyond the roof-breaking incident and encompasses problems with the trains and operating hours, making it clear that numerous aspects of the project have fallen short of expectations.

Some netizens pointed out instances where LRT trains suffered from power failures, further fueling their discontent.

Moreover, there is a growing concern among netizens that, considering the roof’s collapse during a particularly heavy rain, the system may struggle during the upcoming rainy season, with the prospect of frequent heavy downpours.

In response to these issues, several netizens have suggested conducting an infrastructure development audit to investigate whether elements of corruption have contributed to the subpar quality of the buildings and the overall project.

Amidst the criticisms, there were also netizens who opted for a more humorous approach, likening the station’s leaking roof to Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport and its renowned “indoor tropical garden with waterfall experience.”

On a more optimistic note, there is a cohort of netizens who express hope that the problems plaguing the LRT project will be swiftly addressed and resolved.

They envision the LRT system becoming a favored mode of public transportation, contributing to the alleviation of traffic congestion in the region.

These varying reactions illustrate the diverse perspectives and expectations surrounding the LRT project and its future development.

KAI responds to leaky roof video on social media

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has addressed the concerns raised by a circulating video on social media depicting the leaking roof of the building connecting the LRT Jabodebek at Cawang Station.

This issue occurred during heavy rainfall in Jakarta on Saturday night (4 Nov).

Joni Martinus, the Vice President of Public Relations at PT KAI, acknowledged the incident where the roof collapsed due to the heavy rain.

He explained that there were multiple instances of ceiling leaks at Cawang Station, though he emphasized that these isolated incidents did not disrupt the overall service provided at the station.

In response to the incident, Joni mentioned that KAI and the LRT Jabodebek promptly coordinated with the relevant parties, particularly the station construction contractors, to initiate necessary repairs.

He clarified that the construction contractor for Cawang LRT Station was Adhi Karya and reported that investigations and repair work had already commenced to ensure passenger comfort.

By the following Sunday morning (5 Nov), with improved weather conditions and normal operations at Cawang LRT Jabodebek Station, Joni confirmed that Adhi Karya had begun repairing the station’s water channels, aiming to complete the process in the near future.

He also extended KAI’s apologies for any inconvenience caused by the heavy rainfall in the Cawang and Halim Station areas.

Moreover, Joni outlined KAI’s commitment to proactive measures, including collaboration with contractors, to identify potential areas of concern at all Jabodebek LRT stations and high-speed train stations.

This proactive approach is aimed at preventing and addressing similar incidents in the future.