Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday announced plans to provide high-rise housing for low-income residents in Manggarai, one of Jakarta's busiest public transportation hubs, as the government pushes to bring affordable homes closer to mass transit.

Manggarai in South Jakarta has developed into a major rail interchange with the launch of the LRT connection, in addition to the existing Greater Jakarta Commuter Line network and the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Commuter Line, alongside bus services.

As the area develops into a larger transit-oriented district, Prabowo said residential towers would be provided for lower-income households.

“Housing towers will be built for low-income people,” Prabowo said.

The development is intended to give residents greater access to housing close to public transportation and make daily travel easier.

Prabowo also praised Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung and his administration for efforts to modernize the capital and support its economic growth.

Eight Housing Towers Planned
State-owned railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has already begun developing transit-oriented housing on company-owned land near Manggarai Station.

KAI broke ground on the development on Aug. 21, with plans for eight 24-story residential towers containing a total of 3,784 housing units on approximately 2.2 hectares of land.

The project will also include 150 retail units.

KAI has said the centrally located housing is intended for low-income residents who meet eligibility requirements set by the government.

The development is part of a broader Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plan for Manggarai, aimed at bringing homes and other urban activities closer to mass transportation.

KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin said the company viewed public transportation as an integral part of urban development rather than simply a means of moving passengers.

“Cities work better when people can live closer to public transportation and the places where they carry out their activities,” Bobby said.

“Manggarai gives KAI an opportunity to develop an area based on that approach.”

Manggarai Station currently handles around 162,000 passenger movements a day, with approximately 700 to 750 train services operating daily. KAI expects construction of the eight residential towers to take around 18 months from the groundbreaking.

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