TNI Builds Bailey and Suspension Bridges in Remote Gayo Lues, Aceh

Soldiers from the Korem 011/Lilawangsa command in Aceh are building a series of bailey, Aramco, pioneer, concrete, and suspension bridges spanning 70 metres in Pining District, Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh. Brigadier General Ali Imran, Commander of Korem 011/Lilawangsa, stated that the bridge network is projected to become a new economic lifeline for the local village communities. The construction is being carried out by personnel from Kodim 0113/Gayo Lues, the 855/Raksaka Dharma Territorial Development Battalion, and the Iskandar Muda Regional Military Command’s Engineer Battalion. Soldiers have had to risk their lives carrying heavy materials, fording rivers, and traversing muddy terrain impassable to vehicles. Muddy conditions even caused several TNI material transport trucks to become bogged down, forcing personnel to evacuate and manually carry the materials. Brigadier General Ali Imran explained that work is being accelerated despite extraordinary natural challenges, including extreme rainy season weather and the remote interior location. He affirmed the TNI’s readiness to face any challenge for the nation and its people, particularly communities affected by flooding in the interior of Gayo Lues. Following the orders of President Prabowo Subianto, via the Bridge Task Force Commander and Army Chief of Staff General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, personnel are being deployed to push the construction forward with the target of quickly restoring normal community activities. The previous permanent bridge, a main access route for the community, was completely severed after being struck by a swollen river. This forced residents and schoolchildren to risk their lives crossing the swift river using only an emergency rope bridge made of rope and bamboo. The new bridges, built through mutual cooperation demonstrating the unity between the TNI and the people, are expected to boost mobility, safety, and welfare in the interior of Aceh. Kodim 0113/Gayo Lues, together with soldiers from Yon TP 855/Raksaka Dharma, Yonzipur 16 Dam IM, and the local community, are accelerating the construction of 53 bridges at various points in the region, including Aramco, concrete, and suspension bridges.