Central Java Provincial Roads Face Shortage of 19,000 Street Lights

SEMARANG — The Head of the Central Java Transportation Department (Dishub), Arief Djatmiko, has revealed that provincial roads in Central Java currently face a shortage of approximately 19,000 street lights (PJU). He made this statement following a coordination meeting of the Central Java regional leadership (Forkopimda) to discuss preparations for the 2026 Lebaran celebration at the Central Java Provincial Office in Semarang on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Arief stated that the Transportation Department submits requests for street light procurement and installation annually as part of efforts to enhance public safety in traffic conditions. He noted that over 100 street lights were installed last year, with the majority placed along roads stretching from Pemalang to Purbalingga.

According to Arief, currently 15,000 street lights have been installed along provincial roads throughout Central Java. “The requirement is 19,000 lights short,” he said, meaning that the fulfilment of street light needs along provincial roads in Central Java remains below 50 per cent. “So the requirement is only just over 50 per cent met,” he added.

Arief explained that the 19,000 required street lights are distributed across northern, central, and southern regions of Central Java. “We naturally want lights to be continuously installed. However, given the current circumstances, we have also requested collaboration with districts and municipalities. There are certain district road and provincial road junctions where we collaborate with the national budget (APBN),” he stated.

He noted that the Transportation Department submits requests for street light procurement for provincial roads annually. “The Central Java Provincial Government has its priorities. Consequently, sometimes we have budgeted for it, but it shifts to other priorities,” Arief explained.

According to Arief, the Transportation Department has requested 250 street lights this year, though this remains pending the budgeting process. He stated that installing a single street light unit requires approximately 20 million rupiah.

“We urge the public, if there are lights that have burnt out, to immediately coordinate with the local transportation department or district transportation department. The public sometimes does not know whether the lights are on provincial roads, district roads, or national roads. What is important is to report it first, and we will definitely respond,” Arief said.