Damage at Kabanaran Bridge: Street Light Poles Broken, Decorative Gunungan Ornament Loosened

At least five public street light poles (PJU) installed on Kabanaran Bridge have snapped. Additionally, metal components attached to the gunungan ornament, which serves as an icon for the bridge, have become detached.

During a monitoring visit by detikJogja on Monday, 9 March 2025, one PJU on the southern side of Kabanaran Bridge appeared broken. Subsequently, one PJU on the northern side of the bridge also appeared damaged.

Moving westwards, specifically west of the gunungan ornament, two PJU poles on the northern side of the bridge were also observed to be broken. The same condition was visible on the western side of the ornament, where another PJU had snapped.

Beyond this, part of the gunungan ornament on the southern side of Kabanaran Bridge—specifically metal components attached to it—appeared nearly detached. Meanwhile, on the lower section of the gunungan ornament, one metal part was observed to be bound with plastic rope to prevent it from becoming completely loose.

Several uniformed officials were also visible standing by at Kabanaran Bridge. They appeared to be conducting maintenance work on the bridge located on the border between Bantul and Kulon Progo regencies.

Yayak (50), a street vendor selling cilok (fried snack) who was sheltering beneath the gunungan ornament, stated that the snapping of the PJU poles and the loosening of metal on the gunungan ornament occurred on Wednesday, 4 March at approximately 14:00 Western Indonesian Time. He noted that heavy rain and strong winds occurred at that time.

“The light poles broke on Wednesday afternoon—how do I know? Because I was sheltering from the rain and saw the light pole snap,” Yayak told detikJogja in Srandakan, Bantul.

Yayak suggested that the poles snapped because they were unable to withstand the strong wind. Fortunately, the broken poles did not fall onto the road.

“But the poles didn’t fall onto the road because the wind was blowing northwards at that time. As for the cause, I believe it’s because of the welded joints and the heavy upper section, which eventually snapped when hit by strong wind,” he said.

Regarding the metal components on the gunungan ornament that became detached, Yayak stated this also occurred on Wednesday, 4 March, though he did not witness the incident directly.

“The ornament also happened during the strong wind on Wednesday. So when it rained heavily, I took shelter, and because I was still getting wet, I moved to the eastern side. When I returned later, it was already like that—the metal on the Gunungan ornament had become detached,” he said.

Yayak also mentioned that he had managed to temporarily repair one of the detached metal components on the Gunungan ornament to prevent it from being lost.

“I tied this one at the bottom so it wouldn’t come off,” he said.

Yayak stated that several officials had already visited to inspect the damage. However, no action had yet been taken to repair the snapped PJU poles.

“Some officials have come, but they only performed welding work on the light poles. As for the broken ones, they haven’t been reconnected yet—perhaps the repairs will be done in stages,” he said.

The damage to Kabanaran Bridge was confirmed by Panewu (District Head) Srandakan, Karjiyem. “Yes, that’s correct—there are snapped PJU poles, and there’s also damage to the yellow decorative Gunungan ornament,” Karjiyem told detikJogja on Monday, 9 March.

Karjiyem stated that the bridge damage has been acted upon by DPUPKP Bantul (Bantul’s Public Works and Housing Office). In fact, DPUPKP Bantul has reported the incident to the relevant authorities.

“It has been followed up by the Public Works Department of Bantul to be reported to the National Road Authority. Because it’s still under maintenance and falls under the central government’s purview,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of DPUPKP Bantul, Jimmy Alran Menumpak Simbolon, stated that repairs to the PJU and gunungan ornament of Kabanaran Bridge are not within his authority. This is because Kabanaran Bridge is classified as a national strategic programme (PSN).

“My apologies, that is the authority of the National Road Authority,” Jimmy told detikJogja.

Nevertheless, Jimmy stated that he had reported the incident to the National Road Authority. According to him, the National Road Authority will carry out repairs to address the damage.

“Yes, [I’ve reported it] to the National Road Authority,” he said.

For information, Kabanaran Bridge, which connects Bantul and Kulon Progo regencies via the south coast highway route (JJLS) in Poncosari, Srandakan, Bantul, was inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo noted that the bridge’s location carries significant historical value.

“First and foremost, we are always grateful and continually offer our gratitude to Almighty God. Thus, today we are able to gather for the inauguration ceremony of Kabanaran Bridge in the Special Region of Yogyakarta,” said Prabowo during his remarks at Kabanaran Bridge, Bantul, on Wednesday, 19 November 2025.