TNI Targets Construction of 11,000 Public Facilities in 2026
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is targeting the construction of 11,000 public facilities, consisting of 5,000 bridges and 6,000 clean water points, across all regions this year through an acceleration scheme.
Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak, during the inauguration of the construction of 2,500 Garuda Bridges and 3,000 clean water points from Cibarusah, Bekasi Regency, West Java, on Thursday, revealed that the infrastructure programme undertaken by the TNI continues to be accelerated in various regions of Indonesia.
“To date, 2,500 bridges have been completed. The construction is spread across a number of locations. Every day some can be finished, sometimes 50 to 100 points, because the start times of the work vary,” he said.
He explained that bridge infrastructure development is carried out based on community needs. The TNI also utilises information from various parties, including media reports, to find areas that require bridge access.
“We gather everything from the media. If we see people struggling to cross because there is no bridge, we immediately survey and start work,” he said.
He is optimistic about completing at least 5,000 bridge points by the end of this year, drawing on experience in dealing with various obstacles in the field.
“Our target for bridges by the end of the year is 5,000, at least 5,000 completed. I am more optimistic now because I already know the planning constraints,” he said.
He cited the example of bridge construction in several areas requiring special handling, such as in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), where naval vessels had to be deployed due to limited equipment at the site. Two ships were deployed to assist with the construction of four bridge points in the Kupang area.
In addition to bridge infrastructure development, Maruli also reported on the progress of the clean water provision programme, which continues to be updated to increase the intensity of construction volume each year.
Whereas previously the TNI was only able to build around 1,000 borehole points in a year, central government support has enabled the programme to proceed much faster. From January to August 2026, a total of 3,232 facilities were built, with 3,000 of them having been completed.
The inauguration of the 3,000th water point was carried out on Raas Island. He stated that the programme will continue with a target of up to 6,000 clean water facility points because the need for clean water remains high in various regions.
“It is mutual cooperation because the community also feels a sense of ownership. I see the response, the community’s mutual cooperation across Indonesia is extraordinary,” he said.
On that occasion, residents also conveyed aspirations regarding the need for the construction of a bridge connecting villages. The head of Al-Abadiyah Islamic Boarding School in Cibarusah, KH. Ahmad Soleh, requested the construction of the Cikolawing Bridge connecting Wibawamulya Village with Sirnajati.
He said the bridge is greatly needed by the Cibarusah community. In fact, the location has reportedly been surveyed several times, but has not yet been realised.
“We request the construction of the Cikolawing Bridge because it is greatly needed by the Cibarusah community as a connecting access between Wibawamulya Village and Sirnajati Village. It is very much needed, Sir,” he said, to which Maruli responded directly by confirming construction will take place this year.