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Local officials in South Tangerang have earmarked Rp 12 billion ($1.27 million) to purchase land needed to widen the water channel surrounding the Situ Gintung reservoir, which collapsed in March and killed more than a hundred people.

Ahadi, Tangerang Selatan regional secretary, said on Friday that widening the channel, which would redirect water if the dam overflowed, would require the land occupied by 24 houses.

“The 24 houses owned by residents around Situ Gintung will be cleared,” Ahadi said.

He said an independent team will be formed to assess the value of the houses and land needed, mostly to be based on the tax value of the properties.

“The team will be composed of officials from the Tangerang Selatan city administration, the Tangerang district office of the National Land Agency and the Ministry of Public Works’ Ciliwung-Cisadane Management Office,” he said.

The land measurements are expected to be completed by Tuesday. The houses would have to be purchased by Dec. 15, he added.

“After a study is done and the prices for the houses of the residents are settled, we will continue meetings with the land purchase team,” Ahadi said.

The funds will be sourced from the state budget, with Rp 7 billion from the 2009 budget and the rest from the 2010 budget.

The reservoir wall collapsed on March 27 after prolonged and heavy rains, sending a torrent of water and mud through three densely packed neighborhoods.

The disaster killed 101 people, displaced 800 more and destroyed hundreds of houses in Cireundeu, an urban ward in Banten, with a population of about 30,000.

Residents have said they were worried that the massive flooding and landslide might happen again in the rainy months. Barriers have so far been put up along the Pesanggrahan River to prevent flooding.

The Public Works Ministry has said the dam’s repairs would not be finished until next year.

The 12-month reconstruction project is reported to cost an estimated Rp 97 billion.

Residents have complained that the government has yet to fulfill its promise to compensate them the promised Rp 30 million for every damaged house.

JG, Antara