Garuda Bridge Programme Connects 7,371 Villages, Says Government Communications Body

The Government Communications Body (Bakom) has announced that approximately 7,371 villages are now connected with improved mobility following the completion of 1,416 bridges under the Garuda Bridge Programme. Deputy III for Partnership and Media Relations at Bakom, Kurnia Ramadhana, stated in a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday that the programme has reached 49.9 percent of its target of 2,838 bridges, with full completion slated for 28 July 2026. The initiative has so far benefited 4,252,500 residents, with average travel times at connected points reduced by 45 to 50 minutes.

The task force for accelerating bridge repairs, led by Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, has targeted not only disaster-affected areas such as Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra but also regions suffering from infrastructure inequality that hampers mobility. The latest data shows that 80 Bailey bridges, 524 Armco bridges, 459 concrete bridges, and 353 pioneer bridges have been completed, totalling 1,416 structures.

Beyond reducing travel times, the new bridges have enabled ambulances to reach previously isolated villages and allowed farmers to transport their produce to other areas more quickly. Kurnia Ramadhana added that access to government services has also improved, with residents now able to reach village and sub-district offices and public service centres more easily, while the distribution of government logistics and emergency aid to remote areas can be carried out more rapidly.