Jakarta. Mass Rapid Transit Jakarta (MRT Jakarta) has completed the construction of the southbound tunnel linking Glodok Station and Kota Station as of Monday.

"This afternoon marks an important milestone as we have completed the southbound tunnel from Kota Station to Glodok Station," said Weni Maulina, Director of Construction at MRT Jakarta.

The newly built tunnel spans approximately 240 meters and will serve as a rail line heading south toward Lebak Bulus. Meanwhile, the northbound tunnel was completed in July 2024.

According to Weni, the tunnel-boring machine began work at Kota Station on Sept. 4, 2024, operating both day and night. This same machine is now being prepared to continue constructing the southbound tunnel from the southern side of Glodok Station to the northern side of Mangga Besar Station. Meanwhile, the northbound tunnel is being excavated by Tunnel Boring Machine 2 from the southern side of Glodok Station to the northern side of Mangga Besar Station. Weni said construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Glodok Station is being constructed alongside Kota Station. It will consist of two levels, measuring approximately 240 meters in length and 19.8 meters in width, with a depth of up to 18 meters. In contrast, Kota Station will extend to three underground levels, measuring 231 meters in length, 17 meters in width, and reaching nearly 24 meters below ground.

Phase 2A of the Jakarta MRT project is being developed at an estimated cost of Rp25.3 trillion, funded through a cooperation loan between the Indonesian government and Japan.

Phase 2A consists of two stages: the first stage includes a main line of about 5.8 kilometers with six underground stations (Thamrin, Monas, Harmoni, Sawah Besar, Mangga Besar, and Glodok) and one at-grade station (Kota). The second stage, known as Phase 2B, will include Kota Station, Mangga Dua, Gunung Sahari, and Ancol, extending to a depot in West Ancol over approximately 5.2 kilometers. Phase 2B is currently in the feasibility study stage.

The MRT project began with Phase I, which connects Lebak Bulus to the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout and was inaugurated by President Jokowi in 2019.

Throughout 2023, the Jakarta MRT recorded nearly 33.5 million passengers, averaging over 91,000 daily users.