President Jokowi Kicks Off East-West MRT Line Project

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday (9/11) officially kicked off the project of Jakarta MRT East-West Line phase 1 stage 1.

The project, spanning 24.5 kilometers, will connect Medan Satria to Tomang.

“By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning I officially launch the project of Jakarta MRT East-West Line phase 1 stage 1,” the President said at the M.H. Thamrin MRT station in Jakarta.

In his remarks, President Jokowi reiterated the success of the previous MRT project that has been operating since March 2019, namely the North-South Line connecting Lebak Bulus to the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout.

“The first phase of the North-South line has changed the face of Jakarta, has changed the face of Jakarta transportation, and has changed our country, Indonesia,” the President said.

The President also highlighted the important role of the MRT for people’s mobility in Jakarta.

For the record, the Jakarta MRT has provided services to more than 120 million passengers. Currently, the construction of the section 2a of the North-South MRT Line connecting the HI Roundabout with the Kota area is still underway, and the Government is committed to expanding the MRT network in Jakarta to make it more integrated.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also stated that the project will strengthen Jakarta’s position as a global city and agglomeration center with modern public transportation. The construction of the MRT is part of the measures to create a better and more sustainable modern transportation for civilization.

“The civilization with a modern transportation system will be achieved after the MRT project is completed,” the President remarked.

The East-West MRT Line project is expected to improve the mobility of Jakarta residents, and support economic growth by accelerating connectivity in Jakarta and its surrounding regions.

(BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/DNS) (RI/MMB)