Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono said the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir has been operational since 1982 and has been built across the longest river in Java -- the Bengawan Solo River.
Accprding to Hadimuljono on Monday, the reservoir can control floodwater flow by up to 4 thousand cubic meters per second, irrigate 30 thousand hectares of rice fields, provide 600 liters per second of raw water, and produce 12.4 megawatts of power.
The Ministry of PUPR's beautification program aims to increase tourism at Elephant Mungkur Reservoir. The reservoir has a lot of potential as a lake-view eco-tourism town.
The ministry's plans for the area have the potential to benefit the residents of Wonogiri Regency in terms of economic autonomy, job growth, and regional pride.
The development of the reservoir can be broken down into three distinct regions. Zone 1 of the Mungkur Elephant Reservoir has been envisaged as a 10-hectare tourist attraction and youth activity hub.
Zone 2 is being developed as a 75-hectare extension area for the Gajah Mungkur and Lakefront Tourism Reservoir tourism destinations. Meanwhile, Bukit Joglo and Watu Cenik Adventure and View are being developed in Zone 3, which spans 162 hectares.
Construction work on the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir Zone 1 Phase 1 began in September 2022 and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Physical progress has currently reached 47 percent completion, with a budget of Rp22.8 billion (about US$1.48 million) allotted by the State Budget.
The scope of work has included preparation, land development, work on the coastal terrace sub-zone and promenade, main road, gate sub-zone, entrance plaza sub-zone, garden thematic sub-zone, mechanical, and electrical.
The Wonogiri district government is in charge of maintaining the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir following the completion of its renovation and official opening for business in December 2023.
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Translator: Aji C, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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