GOVT NEEDS RP3.3 TRILLION TO NORMALIZE CITARUM RIVER FLOW

Jakarta, Apr 5 (ANTARA) - The government will need a total of Rp3.3 trillion in funds to normalize the Citarum river flow in West Java, People's Welfare Coordinating Minister Agung Laksono said.

The minister explained the amount was needed to build permanent infrastructure alongside the Citarum river.

"The Rp3.3 trillion is apart from the funds required to tackle social problems along the river path," said the minister here on Monday after attending a meeting on rehabilitation of the Citarum river with representatives of several ministries, namely Public Works, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry as well as people from West Java's provincial administration.

Asked about the government's effort to tackle flood problem in several areas in West Java such as in Karawang and Bandung districts as a result of the overflow of Citarum river during the past months, Agung said the government would need Rp40 billion to build an emergency infrastructure there.

The minister promised to accelerate the normalization program of Citarum river.

Floods triggered by the overflowing of the Citarum river affected at least nine subdistricts in Karawang district, West Java, last March 2010.

Telukjambe Timur subdistrict was the hardest hit by the floods with 17,658 homes inundated.

The floods inundated at least 7.517 homes in Karawang Barat subdistrict, 1,533 homes in Pakisjaya subdistrict, 1,308 homes in Rengasdengklok subdistrict, 1,192 homes in Jayakerta subdistrict, 604 homes in Telukjambe Barat subdistrict, 412 homes in Karawang Timur subdistrict, 250 homes in Batujaya subdistrict, 97 homes in Klari subdistrict and 81 homes in Ciampel subdistrict.