Banyumas Regency Closes Baturraden West Main Road Completely to Address Sinkhole
The Banyumas Regency Government has fully closed Baturraden West Main Road to address a 5-6-metre-deep sinkhole in Prompong Hamlet, Kutasari Village, an alternative route to the Baturraden tourist area.
Tomi Luqman Hakim, Head of the Control and Operations Section at Banyumas Regency’s Transportation Department (Dinhub), stated in Purwokerto on Monday that the sinkhole occurred on Saturday, 23 May 2026, around 6:00 PM WIB. Following the report, officials from Dinhub, Banyumas Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and Public Works Department (DPU) immediately visited the site for initial response.
“Initially, four-wheel vehicles were temporarily closed while two-wheel vehicles could still pass. However, after assessment by DPU and BPBD deemed it hazardous, the road was fully closed,” he said. He acknowledged that some local residents continued to use motorcycles before work began, but after heavy machinery arrived, a full 24-hour closure was enforced for all vehicles.
He advised southern-bound road users heading north towards Kutasari Village in Baturraden District to take the alternative route via Djojo Soekarto Road, passing through Candrawjaya Road north of Cerme Market in Purwasari Village, Baturraden District. Meanwhile, vehicles heading to the Baturraden tourist area are being rerouted via the main Baturraden Road.
“The closure is planned until 13 June according to DPU estimates, but we hope the works can be completed sooner,” Tomi said.
Rusli Kurnia, Head of the Road and Drainage Section at Banyumas Regency’s Public Works Department (DPU), stated that the structure beneath the collapsed road section is a segmental arched bridge built with brick masonry and estimated to be over 50 years old. He explained that the deteriorated structure, combined with significant water flow, caused the supporting structure to fail under the weight of the soil above, leading to the collapse.
“Once the arch underneath collapsed, the surface above also sank, creating a hole,” he explained. He said the sinkhole is 5-6 metres deep and approximately 10 metres wide, matching the road’s width. He added that repairs began on Monday, 25 May 2026, and are expected to be completed within 20 days, by 13 June 2026, allowing the road to reopen for public use.
“Due to its age and weakened structure, we will fully replace it with a box culvert,” Rusli said.