Bina Marga to Repair All Potholes on MT Haryono Street, but Hindered by Weather

Jakarta, Kompas.com — The South Jakarta Branch of Bina Marga (the road maintenance and development agency) is continuing work to repair damaged roads, including Jalan MT Haryono in Pancoran, to mitigate risks for road users ahead of Lebaran 2026.

“Our team is moving quickly to address potholes that have appeared due to heavy and prolonged rainfall,” said Rifki Rismal, the head of the South Jakarta Bina Marga branch, to Kompas.com on Monday (9 March 2026).

Residents have complained about potholes that frequently reappear even after previous repairs.

Rifki explained that repairs are currently being conducted using cold mix asphalt as temporary patches. “It should be understood that asphalt and hot mix are oil-based materials, and their greatest enemy is water. Therefore, we cannot apply hot mix during rainy weather,” he said.

“The use of hot mix requires advance ordering as it is produced at asphalt mixing plants (AMP), and there are specific temperature requirements when it is applied,” Rifki added.

In addition, Bina Marga is still mapping and identifying pothole locations across South Jakarta. Permanent repairs will be carried out in phases to ensure road user safety.

A 28-year-old motorcycle rider, identified as AR, did not see a pothole whilst riding at around 3:00 AM. “It is suspected that he entered a pothole covered by standing water, resulting in a single-vehicle accident,” explained Ojo Ruslani, deputy head of the legal affairs section of the Jakarta Metro Police traffic directorate, on Monday (9 March 2026).

As a result of the incident, AR sustained injuries and his motorcycle was damaged.

Residents have also warned that road conditions are more hazardous at night due to inadequate lighting, making potholes difficult for riders to spot.