KSAD Maruli Inaugurates 11 Suspension Bridges in Aceh, Part of 218 TNI Bridges

ACEH - KSAD General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak inaugurated 11 suspension bridges in Aceh, Monday, March 9. The bridge was built to restore access for residents who were cut off after the disaster damaged infrastructure in a number of areas.

This step is part of the rapid work of the TNI AD to build 218 bridges in various areas in about 2.5 months. In Aceh, the construction is focused on points that have been difficult for citizen mobility, especially to schools, markets, health services, and economic activity centers.

KSAD Maruli emphasized that the construction of the suspension bridge did not stop at the construction process. What is pursued is the recovery of the movement of residents and the reopening of economic routes in areas that had been isolated.

"Bridges are not just physical infrastructure, but a symbol of the presence of the state to ensure that people's mobility continues and the people's economy can recover," said KSAD Maruli.

The eleven bridges were built at a number of points in Aceh, including the villages of Ara and Blang Awe in Pidie Jaya, Lhok Kuyun River, Gampong Teungoh, and Blang Teurekan in North Aceh, Tamiang River in Tamiang Aceh, Pante Kera River in East Aceh, Baro Yaman Village in Pidie, Kajeung in West Aceh, Kali Alas in South Aceh, and Burni Bius in Central Aceh.

On the same day, in Hambalang, Bogor, President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the 218 bridges online. The details consist of 77 Bailey bridges, 59 Armco bridges, and 82 pioneer bridges.

President Prabowo assessed that the construction of small bridges in remote areas actually touched the most real needs of the people. According to the President, the state must not allow rural communities to continue to live in risk simply because basic access is not available.

"I now sleep more peacefully, because children in remote villages no longer have to cross the river in dangerous conditions," said Prabowo.