BBPJN Jateng-DIY accelerates improvements to Pantura route
Semarang — The Regional Road Implementation Agency (BBPJN) for Central Java and Yogyakarta is continuing to accelerate repairs to national highways, particularly along the Pantura route in Central Java, to ensure that the Idul Fitri exodus for 2026 proceeds safely and comfortably.
BBPJN Jateng-DIY Head M. Iqbal Tamher announced in Semarang on Friday that the readiness of national highways for the Idul Fitri exodus in the Jateng-DIY region is targeted for completion by H-10 (10 days before) Idul Fitri.
“The main priority is the Pantura route, particularly in the areas of Pekalongan, Pemalang, and Batang which recently went viral due to road damage and are now being addressed. Then Kendal, as well as Kaligawe in Semarang,” he said.
For work on the Kaligawe road section, which forms part of the Pantura route between Semarang and Demak, he assured that the road would be passable during the 2026 Idul Fitri exodus.
He explained that work on the Kaligawe section involves raising the road by 1 metre over a 700-metre stretch towards Demak, with progress currently at approximately 60 per cent.
“Rigid concrete laying towards Demak spanning 700 metres, for both the express and slow lanes, has already begun. We are targeting 11 March 2026, or H-10 for Idul Fitri, to assist the exodus traffic flow,” he said.
He stated that the agency continues to coordinate with the police, particularly regarding traffic arrangements resulting from the road works on the Kaligawe section.
He noted that if total closure of the road section were possible, the work could be completed more quickly, but total closure is not feasible.
According to him, the total contract for the Kaligawe road project is 1.1 kilometres, but is being carried out in two phases.
The remainder, heading towards Semarang city, will be continued after Idul Fitri, or potentially in mid-April 2026.
Regarding the current high rainfall, he assured that the Road Implementation Work Unit (Satker PJN) has prepared various precautionary measures to ensure targets are met.
“Work execution must not be disrupted from the established targets. Equipment, materials, and labour readiness must be optimal so that work continues. Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), so far targets are still being met,” he said.
Iqbal also hopes that rainfall intensity will diminish, particularly in the Pantura region, so that road work can proceed more effectively.