Officials Begin Demolishing Overpass Billboards in Jakarta After Bridge Collapse

Jakarta Globe, Alin Almanar, October 08, 2016

Authorities have started to demolish unauthorized billboards on overpasses
across the capital after three people were killed when a pedestrian bridge in
Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, collapsed on Sept. 24. (Antara Photo/Yulius
Satria Wijaya

Jakarta. Authorities have started to demolish unauthorized billboards on overpasses across the capital after the recent collapse of a pedestrian bridge in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, sparked safety concerns.

Three people were killed in the incident, which was triggered by heavy rains and strong winds late last month, prompting Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to consider a ban on such billboards.

Officials from the Jakarta Transportation Office demolished two overpass billboards in Pasar Minggu and Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta on Friday (07/10). The previous day, another one was demolished in Kalideres, West Jakarta.

"We demolished them gradually by closing parts of the roads. Vehicles can still pass under the parts we are not working on," Jakarta Transportation Office head Andri Yansyah said. "After this, we will demolish all overpass billboards across Jakarta that do not have permits and do not comply with the technical requirements."

Aside from considering a gubernatorial decree banning advertising agencies from installing billboards on overpasses, the Jakarta administration will also inspect all overpasses across the capital to determine whether they need repair.