Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung unveiled plans to expand the Indonesian capital's pedestrian infrastructure by connecting several of the city's landmark hotels through underground walkways integrated with the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, part of a broader effort to reduce congestion and make the city more walkable.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of Investor Daily at the Indonesia Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Pramono said the underground network around the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout will link the Grand Hyatt, Pullman, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski and Mandarin Oriental hotels directly to the MRT station.

"The hotels beneath the HI Roundabout area are now being connected underground, and the network will eventually connect directly to the MRT," he said.

The project forms part of Jakarta's push to encourage public transport use and improve pedestrian connectivity in the city's central business district. The HI Roundabout is one of Jakarta's busiest commercial hubs and serves as a key interchange for the MRT and the city's expanding public transportation network.

Pramono also said the city plans to require Senayan City and Plaza Senayan, two adjacent shopping malls in Central Jakarta, to build an underground pedestrian tunnel linking the complexes. He argued the connection would reduce traffic congestion caused by pedestrians traveling between the malls.

The governor said the proposal had stalled for years because of disagreements between the mall operators. He warned that the city could impose higher taxes if the developers refuse to cooperate, arguing that their operations contribute to traffic congestion.

Beyond transport connectivity, Pramono outlined several initiatives aimed at reshaping Jakarta's urban landscape as it prepares for a future beyond its role as Indonesia's political capital.

Among them is a planned nighttime entertainment district in central Jakarta that would operate from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. to boost tourism and the nighttime economy. The exact location has yet to be announced.

The city is also expanding its Transjabodetabek bus network connecting Jakarta with surrounding satellite cities. Pramono said passenger numbers on the Bogor-Jakarta route have surged from about 2,000 to 12,000, highlighting growing demand for integrated public transport across the greater metropolitan area.

To help finance infrastructure projects, Jakarta this year issued Indonesia's first regional municipal bond worth Rp 3.5 trillion (about $195 million), marking a milestone in local government financing.

Pramono said the city is also committed to improving the governance of its regional state-owned enterprises, pledging to keep management professional and free from political interference. He added that Jakarta's water utility, PAM Jaya, now generates annual profits exceeding Rp 1 trillion.