Following Public Attention, Budiharja Raft Crossing Site Now Marked for Bridge Construction
The dream of school children in Kampung Sadang, Budiharja Village, West Bandung Regency, West Java, to have a pedestrian bridge is finally seeing progress. Survey markers, which serve as the starting point for the bridge’s construction, have now been installed.
The bridge is desperately needed to reduce travel time to SDN Budiharja, located in Kampung Gombong. Currently, students rely on bamboo rafts to cross the waters of the Saguling Reservoir to reach their school.
“Yes, the markers were installed yesterday; the point for the bridge is at the Saung (hut),” said Agus Sumpena, the Head of RT 05, RW 02, Budiharja Village, when confirmed on Sunday (30/08/2026).
While Agus did not specify how many officials visited Kampung Sadang to conduct the survey, he confirmed that officials had installed the markers and determined the coordinates for the bridge construction.
“Alhamdulillah, it is true. Yesterday (Saturday), officials arrived—I am not sure if they were sent by the Governor or someone else, but they appeared to be officials from the Governor’s office. The site has been marked using coordinates for the bridge construction following the survey,” he said.
Agus noted that students in the area have long used bamboo rafts to attend school to save time, especially since students are now required to be at school by 06:30 WIB. They must currently cross 248 metres of the Saguling Reservoir, whereas using the land route involves a detour of approximately 2.28 kilometres.
Agus has been a witness to the struggles of local students seeking an education by crossing the reservoir on rafts. He and other residents take turns pulling the rafts to transport the children.
“Coincidentally, I and several residents take turns transporting them, both to school and back. This is a voluntary effort to help the children,” said Agus.
The use of bamboo rafts is a necessity for Santi Nur Setiani, a parent. This traditional water transport is used daily to ensure her child can attend a state school.
“We usually leave the house after 6:00 AM. If we take the land route, it is a long detour, and we do not have a motorcycle. So, this way is faster,” she said.
Santi expressed constant anxiety while watching her child depart and waiting for their return from SDN Budiharja. The waters of the reservoir are quite deep, leading to her hope that a bridge will eventually connect the village to the school.
“I am worried they might slip. During the rainy season, they like to play and joke around with friends while on the raft. I really hope there will be a bridge,” said Santi.
The Head of SDN Budiharja, Taufik, stated that there are currently 16 students at the school who still rely on rafts. This includes three students in Grade 1, four in Grade 2, three in Grade 3, three in Grade 5, and three in Grade 6.
“Therefore, to shorten the journey and maintain the children’s enthusiasm for school, I request that a crossing bridge be built to speed up and ease their commute to school,” he said.