This dam could be completed 10 months earlier than the contract in 2022Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Randugunting Dam in Blora District of Central Java is ready to be inaugurated in early January of 2022, Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono stated.
Hadimuljono noted that the Randugunting Dam will be the 14th to be inaugurated by President Jokowi out of the 15 dams to be ready in 2021.
During the 2015-2020 period, 14 dams were also completed and became operational.
"This dam could be completed 10 months earlier than the contract in 2022. Overall, the dam has been completed and only repairing the building and work on the landscaping are left. Hopefully, (the dam) would be inaugurated by the president in early January 2022," the minister noted in a written statement received here on Monday.
Physical construction of the dam, with a capacity of 14 cubic meters, was completed 10 months ahead of the contract schedule that was supposed to end in November 2022.
Hadimuljono explained that the Randugunting Dam was constructed to increase water supply for dry areas in the districts of Blora and Rembang. Construction of the dam began in 2018 and was completed in early 2022 without technical and social problems in land acquisition.
"We know that the Blora and Rembang areas are prone to water scarcity. The dam is expected to provide raw water supply up to 200 liters per second and irrigate 670 hectares. The dam is also expected to serve as a tourist spot," the minister remarked.
The dam was constructed by the Pemali Juana River Basin Center (BBWS), the Directorate General of Water Resources at the PUPR Ministry, with the implementing contractor PT Wijaya Karya - PT Andesmont Sakti (KSO) by utilizing the 2018-2022 state budget of Rp880 billion.
Apart from providing raw water and irrigating the land, the 187.19-hectare Randugunting Dam will also be used to lower flooding by 75 percent or 81 cubic meters per second and reduce the flood-affected area, from 4,604 hectares to 2,285 hectares.
Hadimuljono noted that the Randuguting Dam can also be the source of Solar Power Plants with a solar panel system.
"This dam has the potential to become a source of solar energy. Hence, we will strive to install floating solar panels on the dam. We currently have 231 dams. If that figure is added to the 61 dams that will be completed in 2024, then we will have built 292 dams. If we install floating solar panels at all the dams, then renewable energy will be developed," the minister remarked.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: Sri Haryati
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