Budget Slashed by 70 Per Cent: 3,400 Potholes on Central Java Homecoming Routes Remain Unrepaired
Central Java’s provincial government is working against the clock to repair 3,400 potholes ahead of the anticipated heavy Lebaran homecoming traffic predicted to peak in mid-March 2026. The primary obstacle to permanent road improvements is a Rp700 billion cut to the road maintenance budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
Based on monitoring conducted on Sunday, 1 March, Central Java’s provincial government has accelerated road repairs using temporary patching methods. This approach is intended to ensure major routes are passable by millions of returning travellers on the North Coast Highway, Central Route, and South Coast routes.
“There are still many inter-regional connecting roads with potholes, so we must exercise caution when travelling these roads in Central Java,” said Ashar, a tour bus driver in Semarang.
Similar concerns were raised by Bagio, a travel driver from Bandung. He complained about uneven road conditions resulting from temporary repairs. “The roads are only patched with asphalt, so there are height differences at the patched spots. This is very uncomfortable when travelling,” he added.
Wahyono, a motorcycle rider in Semarang Regency, also highlighted the dangers of nighttime riding. According to him, potholes and poorly finished asphalt patches frequently cause accidents for two-wheeled vehicle users.
Henggar Budi Anggoro, Head of the Central Java Provincial Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure Department (DPUBMCK), confirmed that thousands of potholes remain unaddressed. However, he stressed that patching work continues to be expedited for completion before peak homecoming traffic.
“From January to February, we completed patching 14,455 potholes out of a total 17,850 documented potholes across Central Java,” said Henggar.
The 3,400 remaining potholes under current repair work are distributed across various locations in the province.
The temporary nature of road repairs reflects severe budget constraints. Henggar explained that the 2026 budget allocation for road maintenance was reduced by Rp700 billion. By comparison, the 2025 allocation for road maintenance reached Rp1 trillion, but only Rp320 billion remains for 2026.
The primary causes of road damage in the region are attributed to extreme weather and natural disasters. Additionally, the prevalence of Over Dimension Over Loading (ODOL) vehicles—large trucks exceeding road capacity limits—accelerates asphalt deterioration on major homecoming routes.
The government has assured that national roads in Central Java will be ready for travellers during the 2026 Lebaran holiday. Bekasi Regency authorities have also confirmed they will urgently repair damaged roads used during the Idul Fitri 1447 Hijri homecoming journey.