Depok Residents Protest Overly Wide Pavement Project on Jalan Pemuda

A pavement construction project in Depok City, West Java, has extended to Jalan Pemuda, drawing protests from local residents who claim the overly wide walkway has made the road dangerously narrow. Observations on Thursday (6/8/2026) from the Margonda Raya direction showed that the intersection leading to Jalan Pemuda is frequently congested, with vehicles jostling to enter and exit the road. The project continues from Jalan Kartini, and the pavement, currently in the brick-laying phase, appears as wide as the one on Jalan Kartini. Workers are still active on site, with construction materials and debris occupying space as vehicles pass through. The width of the pavement causes two-way traffic to frequently grind to a halt, forcing one vehicle to give way. Local resident Damar, 41, complained that the project has made the road even narrower. “What can I say, it’s already congested here. Making it smaller with a pavement just makes it even more cramped,” he said. He noted that traffic jams are common in the area and the project is causing tailbacks. “It’s often jammed here, and with this addition, the congestion just drags on. Make it smaller, this is too wide,” he added. Another resident, Meli, 35, said the project needs to be reviewed, as the pavement’s width is constricting the road. “The government should come and see this, Mr Mayor. It’s very wide, sir, please review it. You can see for yourself how narrow the road has become,” she stated.