Bekasi Regency Government to Expedite Repairs of Damaged Roads for Eid al-Fitr Homecoming
The Bekasi Regency Government has affirmed that it will immediately repair damaged roads that serve as routes for the Eid al-Fitr homecoming.
The total length of the route is 33 kilometers, consisting of two main sections: the North Coastal Road (Pantura), which is a national road, and Kalimalang, which is a regency road.
Head of the Bekasi Regency Water Resources, Public Works, and Construction Service, Henri Lincoln, said that the repair of these two crucial routes would be expedited so that they can be used by travelers 10 days before Eid.
“There are two routes that are the special focus of the local government and must be addressed immediately. First, the national road from the Bekasi city border to the Karawang border, and then the Kalimalang inspection road,” said Henri in Cikarang in a statement on Wednesday (February 25).
He explained that the repair of the Pantura route, or national road, is currently temporary because the authority lies with the central government. The Bekasi Regency Government has sent a letter to the Jakarta-West Java Road Authority regarding the damage.
“Yesterday, patching was carried out, but it is only temporary. If it rains and is passed by heavy vehicles, it usually comes loose quickly. Hopefully, it can be made permanent,” added Henri.
As for the Kalimalang inspection road section, the local government is preparing for periodic repairs at several critical points of damage in anticipation of this year’s Eid homecoming period.
“Kalimalang has several points that we will work on. Our focus is indeed on these two routes because they are the main routes for travelers,” he said.
In addition to these two main routes, the Bekasi Regency Government is also preparing repairs on supporting routes such as the Pilar-Sukatani and Tambun Selatan roads, which serve as connecting access to the Pantura and Kalimalang roads.
The government has allocated a budget of IDR 11 billion for periodic road repairs, although it must readjust the repair points considering that new damage has emerged in locations different from the initial plan.
“Our periodic budget is around IDR 11 billion, but the points must be shifted because the damage is now in different locations. So we are requesting an adjustment,” he said.
Henri said that the procurement of goods and services has been prepared, including consulting services. He is also waiting for a decision from the leadership and the Local Government Budget Team (TAPD) for the physical execution.
“Consulting services are underway. Once the decision and budget are approved, we will immediately begin the physical work,” he said.
The repair of roads on the homecoming route is a priority program for the local government to ensure the safety, smoothness, and comfort of travelers.
Meanwhile, Acting Regent of Bekasi, Asep Surya Atmaja, affirmed that the acceleration of road repairs is being carried out through a budget reallocation and by moving up the schedule of physical projects from the second semester to the first semester of this year.
“We have shifted the project schedule so that it can be carried out soon. God willing, before Eid, we will ensure that the roads in Bekasi Regency have all been repaired,” he said.
He said that efforts to repair roads are also being carried out through coordination with the West Java Provincial Government, especially for sections that are provincial roads, such as Jalan KH Raden Ma’mun Nawawi.