Garuda Bridge Eases Access for Residents on Banjarmasin-Banjar Periphery

After decades of isolation and reliance solely on river transport, thousands of residents in Basirih Ujung Urban Village, Banjarmasin City, and Aluh-Aluh Village, Banjar Regency, can now enjoy easier access between the two areas with the inauguration of the Garuda Bridge.

The Garuda Bridge was inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto simultaneously with thousands of bridges and clean water points in various regions, virtually from Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8). President Prabowo stressed that the construction of bridges and clean water sources is part of the TNI and Polri’s service to the community. The President asked that the infrastructure that has been built be maintained and cared for so that its benefits can last in the long term.

For residents of Basirih Selatan and Aluh-Aluh, the existence of the Garuda Bridge is not merely a link between the two sides of the area, but also eases transport access for children going to school, farmers and other residents carrying out daily activities that had previously relied on the river.

“This bridge is a vital access for the community, especially schoolchildren and daily economic activities. We are targeting the work to be completed within three months, and even trying to accelerate it so that its benefits can be felt immediately,” said Banjarmasin Mayor M Yamin on Saturday (15/8).

At the inauguration ceremony, Commander of Regional Military Command XXII/Tambun Bungai, Major General TNI Zainul Arifin, said the presence of the bridge in Banjarmasin is expected to have a direct impact on community mobility. “With the presence of this bridge, we hope it can ease transport access, the economy, education and other business development for the community,” he said.

The construction of the Garuda Bridge is part of an infrastructure development programme carried out by the TNI to open up access for communities in various regions. In addition to the Basirih bridge, the TNI is also building bridges and clean water access at 16 points in several areas of South Kalimantan.

The inauguration of the bridge was enthusiastically welcomed by local residents. Mahmudah, 38, a resident of Handil Bujur, Basirih, expressed her joy over the construction of the bridge that the community had long awaited. “Of course we are very happy with the bridge, which is very meaningful for the crossing access of schoolchildren, farmers and other activities. This is very helpful,” she said.

The Garuda Bridge replaces an old one that had been damaged and unusable for decades.

“We appreciate and are grateful for the construction of this bridge, which for a long time, decades, had been neglected and damaged,” said Rahimah, adding that the bridge would greatly help smooth the activities and economy of residents.

Similarly, Ahmad, 43, a resident on the border of Basirih Selatan Ujung, said the existence of the Garuda Bridge would ease community mobility. Previously, the condition of the peripheral area of Banjarmasin City and the border of Banjar Regency was quite ironic due to limited access, causing thousands of residents to live in isolation in an area close to the city.