West Sumatra Police Will Take Strict Action On Riders Desperately Crossing The Anai Valley

The West Sumatra Regional Police (West Sumatra) have stated that they will take firm action against motorists who are still determined to cross the Anai Valley area who are still working on heavy equipment.

"Drivers who are still determined to cross the Anai Valley will take firm action in the form of a ticket," said Traffic Director of the West Sumatra Police, Kombes Dwi Nur Setiawan, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 28.

He explained that the enforcement of motorists would be carried out by Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation, because the route should not be reached (verboden) during the period of improvement.

Drivers who are still determined to pass will interfere with the road repair process, as well as threaten the safety and security of the driver himself.

"Drivers are prohibited from crossing the route because they are very high risk, the contour is still unstable even though the road has been repaired," he explained.

The police asked for public understanding because the closure was carried out to ensure the safety of road users, as well as provide opportunities for the construction of infrastructure that was badly damaged.

Since being hit by flash floods on Saturday (11/5) the national road connecting Padang and Bukittinggi was completely cut off because more than half of the road in the local location was flooded.

As a result, drivers who come from Padang to Bukittinggi via Padangpanjang or vice versa cannot pass at all.

The closure and repair of the road is expected to restore the function of Jalan Lembah Anai to normal, so that the mobility of residents and economic activities are smooth again.

Dwi explained that the police had prepared traffic diversion to reduce the impact of the closure of the Valley Anai road on community activities.

He mentioned that alternative routes available for motorists who want to go from Padang City to Bukittinggi can be via Malalak, Kelok 44, and Sitinjak Lauik.

"There are alternative routes that have been prepared, and we have placed personnel at several points to regulate traffic," he explained.

The police appealed to the public to always follow the instructions and directions from officers in the field.