VIVAnews - Given the fact that Jakarta has the worst-quality air in Indonesia, the Indonesia's capital provincial government intensifies its Car Free Day program.
Following the success of running the program once a month since 2007, Car Free Day will now be set twice within a month.
Based on the evaluation conducted by Jakarta’s Local Environmental Control Agency (BPLHD) on the quality of air, along 2009, Car Free Day was considered effective to restore the quality of air in a certain region.
There has also been a quite significant decrease in pollution concentration. The dust parameter (PM-10) goes down 37 percent while the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) drops 67 and 75 percent respectively.
BPLHD’s Environmental Pollution and Sanitation Control Division Joni Tagor Harahap said Car Free Day has proven to be able to improve the quality of air in Jakarta.
The increase is visible in the air quality monitor located in Bunderan HI. “However, we still don’t know the exact amount of reduction in the concentration on Car Free Days,” Harahap said.
He also pointed out that the more frequent implementation of the program was based on requests from the city’s residents. As of July 2010, Car Free Day will be established on the second and last week of every month. “This month, Car Free Days will be on July 4 and 25”.
Currently, the air monitor in Bunderan HI is the only one in Jakarta, which is why the provincial government is planning to install four more monitors in four different locations in West, South, East and North Jakarta. “The procurement will be done this year”, he said.
Car Free Day is carried out according to Local Decree No.2 /2005 on air pollution control. In addition to Sudirman-Thamrin streets, the program has also been applied to five urban districts in Jakarta. In Jakarta northern areas, Car Free Day is also set in sub district regions.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
