Asian Games 2018: Risks of traffic jam and terror attack concern organisers
The imminent threats of traffic jams and terrorist attacks in Indonesia are worrying organisers of the Asian Games 2018, the world’s biggest multi-sport event behind the Olympics, which will kick off next month.
A traffic jam in Indonesia. (Photo: Antara/Galih Pradipta)Hanoi (VNA) – The imminent threats of traffic jams and terrorist attacks in Indonesia are worrying organisers of the Asian Games 2018, the world’s biggest multi-sport event behind the Olympics, which will kick off next month.
Jakarta and Palembang in Sumatra are set to host about 11,000 athletes and 5,000 officials from 45 Asian countries for the games between August 18 and September 2 Games.
As Jakarta is named among the world’s worst destinations for traffic, one of the biggest logistical problems may be simply getting athletes to venues on time, forcing organisers to come up with various solutions.
Athletes and officials will travel on dedicated road lanes, while Jakarta has installed an odd-even licence plate system to limit congestion. Schools will be closed during the event to free the traffic from millions of commuting pupils.
Security is another concern, with the Games taking place just a few months after a series of terror attacks were staged in Indonesia’s second-biggest city Surabaya, which killed dozens of people and provoked fear over Islamist militants.
Some 100,000 security staff will be deployed in Jakarta, Palembang, and West Java, where the majority of events are hosted. Local police said they have been taking part in a pre-Asian Games crackdown on terror suspects and petty street criminals.
Organisers said most of the venues are near completion and 95 percent of the workload should be finished by the end of July. Indonesia is estimated to spend 2 billion USD on preparing for the sports event. -VNA
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