Jalan Haji Darip in East Jakarta Turns Red, Construction Dust Invades Residents’ Homes and Food Stalls

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Jalan Haji Darip in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, is covered with scattered red soil along the road shoulders and sidewalks.

The soil deposits originate from a nearby construction project. Soil clinging to the project trucks' wheels is carried outside and spread onto the roadway.

As the red soil dries, it turns into dust that is blown by the wind, spreading along Jalan Haji Darip towards Pulogadung. The dust also infiltrates several homes and local businesses.

Kompas.com observed on Friday (18/9/2026) that parts of the roadway had been cleaned and watered down by authorities.

However, residual red soil and dust were still found up to about 500 meters from the project site heading towards Pulogadung.

This situation forces residents along the road to clean their homes and businesses more frequently.

Construction Dust Disrupts Residents’ Activities

Local residents say the dust from the project complicates their daily activities as they must repeatedly clean areas affected by the dust.

Nur Hakim (55), a resident and furniture store worker, said the dust causes the merchandise at his workplace to get dirty quickly.

He has to regularly wipe down cabinets and tables covered in dust.

“Yesterday was bad, even my clothes on the drying rack got really dirty, not to mention the dust sticking to the cabinets and tables, so I have to clean them regularly,” Nur Hakim told Kompas.com at Jalan Haji Darip on Friday (18/9/2026).

According to Nur Hakim, this condition has affected residents for about a week.

The dust intensifies when the soil stuck to truck wheels dries out and is then crushed by other vehicles.

Meanwhile, Jumadi (60), a local resident, opts to wear a mask when outside his home.

“Yes, there's a project from a cigarette factory. Residents have to clean frequently. We wear masks too, because otherwise we might have trouble breathing from the dust,” said Jumadi.

KOMPAS.com/Muhammad Wildan Alghofari Red soil leftover from the project turns into dust carried by wind on Jalan Haji Darip, Jatinegara, East Jakarta, disturbing residents’ activities on Friday (18/9/2026)

Roadway and Homes, Shops Dirtied

The red soil dust not only dirties the roadway but is also carried by the wind into residents’ homes and places of business.