Coal Waste Suspected to be Dumped Illegally in West Bandung Near Cipularang Toll Road KM 106

Coal waste disposal is allegedly occurring carelessly in Cikalongwetan District, West Bandung Regency (KBB), West Java. The accumulation of suspected coal waste poses a threat to residents’ health.

Based on Republika’s observations on Monday 9 March 2026, there were two dumping sites containing suspected combustion residue material, known as fly ash and bottom ash (FABA), located in the Walini plantation area near the road connecting Mandalasari Village to Kanangasari, Cikalongwetan District.

The first location contained heaps of sacks filled with coal waste. A short distance away, another pile of waste was wrapped in plastic. It was in the form of black and blue-coloured clumps. An unpleasant odour was immediately noticeable when attempting to approach one of the dumps.

The coal waste triggers dust pollution as it becomes airborne when struck by strong winds or when motor vehicles pass through. When rain falls, the waste material is also carried by water onto roads and residents’ plantations as there are no barriers or filtering systems in place. The location is not far from Cipularang Toll Road KM 106.

“Indeed it’s been around for a while in Mandalasari, but the one in Kanangasari seems to have appeared just four days ago,” said Burhan (40 years old), a resident in the area.

Burhan, who commutes daily from Kanangasari to Padalarang for work, passes through the road where the illegal coal waste dumping occurs. He hoped the government would take action to prevent negative impacts from spreading.

“For me passing through here, the smell is unbearable. The liquid sometimes flows onto the road too. I hope it’s cleaned up soon because I’m worried about serious environmental damage and I, as a daily road user, need this resolved,” he said.