Bakong Bridge in a Dire State: Unrepaired Despite Ministerial Inspection
The Bakong Bridge, which connects Kebon Ayu and Taman Ayu villages in the Gerung District with the Lembar District in West Lombok, has been damaged for a year. Although the structure is tilting and on the verge of collapse, residents continue to cross it daily.
Observations show the bridge is in a distressing condition. The bridge body is tilting towards the south and the surface is uneven. Large boulders have been placed on both sides of the bridge to guide vehicles away from the tilting section.
Ramli Ahmad, a resident of Penarukan Lauk Hamlet, stated that hundreds of motorcycles cross the bridge every day. “There are hundreds of vehicles, and that is only for two-wheelers,” he said on Tuesday (1/9/2026).
Ramli noted that the bridge was initially closed entirely by the police when the damage first occurred. However, residents resumed using it because the bridge is the primary access route to markets, community health centres, and the local port.
“It was completely closed when it first broke, but because this is our access to earn a living, we are forced to brave it,” he said.
According to Ramli, the tilting and uneven surface has caused several residents to slip and fall while crossing. Fortunately, these accidents have not resulted in fatalities.
Ramli expressed hope that the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Government would urgently repair the Bakong Bridge. He warned that repairs should not wait until the bridge collapses completely and causes casualties.
“This has never been treated as an emergency. Do not let this result in loss of life,” he said.
Ramli admitted that residents are weary of waiting for certainty regarding the repairs. He noted that the Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, along with provincial officials, had personally inspected the bridge’s condition. However, residents have yet to see any follow-up in the form of repairs.
“The Minister of Public Works and provincial officials did come to inspect this bridge. But until now, we question the seriousness of the follow-up action,” he added.
Previously, the Bakong Bridge, connecting Lembar and Gerung districts, nearly collapsed due to overflowing river water. The steel pillars on the upper western side of the bridge bent and were nearly broken. This incident occurred on Tuesday (11/2/2025).
Video footage of the near-collapse went viral on social media. In the footage, residents attempting to cross the bridge were seen panicking and screaming hysterically as the bridge steel made sounds similar to explosions.
The Chief of Lembar Sector Police, Ipda Joko Rudiantoro, stated that police had installed police lines to temporarily close traffic on the bridge. “We have installed police lines on that road to avoid any unwanted incidents,” Joko said on Wednesday (12/2/2025).
He noted that the condition of the bridge, hit by overflowing water due to extreme weather, is highly dangerous for road users who persist in crossing.
Traffic Police Unit Chief of West Lombok, Iptu Dina Rizkia, stated that traffic from both the Lembar and Gerung directions had been temporarily diverted. He urged motorists to avoid the route due to the high risk of accidents.