The Ministry Of Public Works Focuses On Recovering Connectivity In Aceh Post-Disaster

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) prioritizes the restoration of road and bridge connectivity in Aceh Province after a series of floods and landslides hit the area in recent weeks.

The Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, emphasized that all technical personnel from ministries in Aceh are still on standby to ensure that access to residents and logistics distribution channels can return to function properly.

In a statement in Jakarta, Sunday, December 7, Dody stated that the recovery of major access is the government's main focus. He explained that the team in the field works optimally every day, starting from cleaning avalanche materials to accelerating the installation of a bailey bridge at a number of points that were cut off due to disasters.

A number of damages were recorded quite extensive. In Aceh, there were 477 affected points, including floods of critical embankments, floods of embankments, and dozens of landslide points. The biggest impact occurred on the national road and bridge networks, with a total of 30 roads and 15 bridges experiencing various levels of damage. To date, the progress of emergency handling by Balai and the Technical Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Public Works has reached more than 48 percent.

Although some of the main accesses such as the Banda Aceh 'Meureudu' route, Lhokseumawe' Langsa, and Kuala Simpang' North Sumatra boundaries have been passed again, a number of other sections are still in a state of decoupling. The government targets connectivity to recover gradually until mid-December 2025.

In several locations where the bridge was completely damaged, the installation of the bailey bridge continued to be accelerated. Several points such as Teupin Mane, Alue Kulus, Enang-enang, Weihni Rongka, and Timang Gajah are priorities because they are important connecting routes between regions.

Part of the bailey bridge material has arrived at the location, while the rest are still in the process of mobilizing to Aceh. One of the locations handled with extra acceleration is the Teupin Mane Bridge which is a vital access for local residents.

In addition to damage to the road and bridge sectors, the government also identified significant impacts on drinking water and settlement infrastructure. A total of 20 Drinking Water Supply Systems (SPAM) in 10 districts/cities were reportedly affected, including one water treatment plant in Langsa City which experienced operational problems.

Community-based sanitation infrastructure such as Sanimas, TPS3R, and PISEW facilities also suffered damage that could potentially disrupt basic community services.

To speed up the recovery process, the Ministry of Public Works continues to deploy heavy equipment and emergency equipment to the most severely affected points. A total of 41 excavators, 25 dump trucks, as well as tents, sanitation equipment, and basic assistance for displaced residents have been delivered in stages.

Dody emphasized that recovery is not only targeting the function of roads and bridges, but also basic community services such as access to clean water and residential facilities. He hopes that the people of Aceh can return to their activities safely and productively after all services have been successfully restored.

He also ensured that coordination between the Ministry of Public Works, Regional Government, and BNPB would continue to be strengthened until it entered the rehabilitation and reconstruction stage, with the final goal of presenting a more resilient infrastructure for disasters in the future.