Poor Construction Standards, Farhan Freezes BRT Development Permits for Ministry of Transport Project
Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan has frozen all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) development permits after discovering numerous quality problems in the infrastructure construction work in the field. The decision was announced following a direct inspection of construction progress at several locations throughout Bandung City.
Farhan assessed that the public transportation project construction had not demonstrated standards befitting a major project. The BRT project, which falls under the National Strategic Project (PSN) category, should have quality construction standards.
“I have decided that all BRT construction permits are frozen until they can tidy up what exists at five locations,” he stated on Monday 16 March.
Farhan identified several locations where construction work was deemed unsatisfactory. The five sites include Jalan Ir. H. Juanda (Dago), Jalan Merdeka, Jalan R.E. Martadinata (Riau) in front of Taman Pramuka, and two locations in the Dago area near Dago 101 and in front of the Regional Health Laboratory (Labkesda).
Improvements at these sites must be completed before any further work can continue. He emphasised that the Bandung City Government would not issue additional permits if field conditions remain as they currently are.
“The BRT work is extremely poor. There are no signs that this is a national strategic project. The Investment and Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP) permits are suspended until they can complete the work. The city government will not authorise any additional new work, whether for corridor development or work outside the BRT corridor, until comprehensive improvements are made,” he explained.
Based on preliminary inspection findings, Farhan rejected the BRT project if work quality remains as it currently stands.
“To date, the status from my inspection shows that the Bandung City Government rejects the BRT given the quality of work shown,” he stated.
As a follow-up, Farhan will send an official letter to the Directorate General of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transport (Kemenhub). The letter will convey the city government’s position regarding the construction work quality that is deemed not to meet standards.
“I will not hesitate. I will send the letter to the Directorate General of Land Transportation,” he said.
According to Farhan, all construction permits under the authority of the Investment and Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP) of Bandung City are temporarily suspended until field improvements are genuinely completed. He hopes that contractors and relevant parties will promptly make improvements so that the public transportation infrastructure construction quality aligns with national strategic project standards and can provide maximum benefit to Bandung City residents in the long term.