Mataram residents complain about pothole-filled roads at several locations

Residents of Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), are complaining about pothole-filled roads at several locations. The roads under complaint are in Rembiga Sub-district, Pagesangan Sub-district, and up to Geguntur neighbourhood in Sekarbela Sub-district.

‘As far as I remember, the roads used to be good, but in the last few months — or since when — small to fairly large potholes have begun to appear. For example on Jalan Guntur Raya. Because there are quite a lot of holes, it often causes congestion,’ said Idham, one of the residents of Mataram, on Wednesday (4 March 2026).

Another resident, Novianti, also raised the same issue. The pothole on the four-way junction of Jalan Guru Bangkol, Pagesangan, has damage that extends quite a distance.

‘The road is somewhat damaged, but the damage stretches along. It’s right in front of the Pagesangan Lurah Office. I hope it can be repaired soon. When it rains, vehicles queuing at that junction will surely be splashed by water that pools in the holes,’ Novianti said.

Head of the Mataram Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR), Lale Widiahning, said she had not yet received information about potholes, particularly on local roads.

‘So far I expect information from the local government, namely the kelurahan, to write to us or inform us via the Mataram Siaga group. What we handle now are complaints or requests from kelurahan or the local community through Mataram Siaga, and within 24 hours we can intervene,’ she said.

The Mataram PUPR Office, Lale added, has repaired several pothole locations, especially in Rembiga. ‘I don’t know whether more potholes will appear elsewhere because so far there has been no notification,’ she noted.

According to Lale, many of the pothole-prone roads complained about are provincial or national roads. ‘Generally, PDAM excavations and damaged asphalt tend to be on provincial and national roads, which is why there are many complaints. Because there are many complaints, we have to address them, when provincial or national roads have not yet been intervened,’ she said.

Although not part of local roads, Lale disclosed that the Mataram PUPR will continue to fix potholes on provincial or national roads given their location within the Mataram area.

‘There isn’t really our duty, to be honest, but will we leave those roads because we are the City of Mataram? If there is maintenance funding available, yes we will handle it. (Usually we allocate) around Rp 60 million. If that’s not enough we will apply for more; this is swakelola maintenance carried out by PUPR,’ she explained.