Sidoarjo Regency Government Seeks to Maximise Management of Gajahmada Road Area

Sidoarjo Regency Government (Pemkab Sidoarjo) has proposed a status exchange for two strategic road sections in Sidoarjo. Gajahmada Road, which currently holds national highway status, is proposed to become a regency road. In exchange, Lingkar Timur Ring Road, which currently holds regency road status, is proposed to become a national highway.

The proposal has been submitted by Pemkab Sidoarjo to the Ministry of Public Works. In the process, Pemkab Sidoarjo has also coordinated and held audiences with the East Java Provincial Government to oversee the process.

According to Sidoarjo Regent Subandi, this step is taken to enable the local government to have full authority to develop the Gajahmada Road area, which is one of Sidoarjo’s iconic zones.

“We have already written to the Ministry of Public Works. We propose exchanging Gajahmada Road, which is a national road, with Lingkar Timur,” said Subandi on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

According to him, after the road status changes to local government authority, Pemkab Sidoarjo will undertake comprehensive development of the Gajahmada Road area.

The plan is to not only improve the road from an infrastructure perspective, but also develop it into a culinary centre and economic zone for small business operators.

“Once we exchange Lingkar Timur with Gajahmada Road, we will be able to improve Gajahmada Road especially so it can become a place for the community to enjoy,” he explained.

The area development will also create space for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) and street vendors to conduct business in a more organised manner.

“We will improve Gajahmada Road and street vendors and business units will operate there, especially for culinary food businesses in Sidoarjo,” he said.

Currently, Pemkab Sidoarjo is conducting intensive coordination with the provincial government and relevant ministries to ensure the plan can be realised soon.

“This is already in motion, we have submitted it to the central government. It is just a matter of waiting. We hope this plan can be completed in 2026,” he concluded.