Brodjonegoro said the government isfinalising studies so it can decide this year and start the groundbreakingproject by 2020 or 2021, and hopes that the new capital will be ready to be thenew government centre by 2024.
The decision to move the capital from megacityJakarta came about two weeks ago after President Joko Widodo approved thelong-mooted plan.
Earlier this month, President Widodo visitedEast and Central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo to scout for a new capitallocation. After relocation, Jakarta will remain the nation’s financial hub.
Jakarta alone has 9.6 million people, buttogether with its surrounding satellite cities, the Jakarta region has apopulation of about 30 million people and is regularly rated as one of the mosttraffic-congested centres in the world, costing the country over 7 billion USDeach year. The low-lying Jakarta capital is also prone to flooding.-VNA