Ponorogo-Pacitain Highway Collapses, Transportation Of Alami Obstacles

Jalan collapsed at KM233 Ponorogo-Pacitain (Satlantas Polres Pacitan)

PACITAN - The main road connecting Ponorogo-Pacitain at kilometer 233, Ploso Village, Tegalombo District, Pacitan Regency, East Java, has collapsed along 50 meters. This is suspected to have occurred due to the erosion of the Grindu River.

"This damage occurred on Saturday, December 7 and caused almost half of the road to disappear, disrupting the traffic of vehicles passing through the route," said Head of the Pacitan Regency Transportation Service, Djoko Putro Utomo, quoting ANTARA, Sunday, December 8.

Djoko explained that access for vehicles with tonnages above seven tons was temporarily closed.

"We divert heavy vehicles through alternative routes such as Wonogiri or Trenggalek. For four-wheeled vehicles, a one-way open-close system is applied for safety," he said.

Monitoring at the location shows that emergency response efforts have been carried out. The Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of Road Management and Bridge DPU Bina Marga East Java in the Pacitan area has installed a police line as a marker so that road users are careful, especially at night due to lack of lighting.

In addition, a heavy equipment was deployed to install gabions to strengthen the road structure at the landslide point.

Djoko emphasized the importance of vigilance motorists considering the potential for further landslides is still high.

The activity of the Grindu River which is heavy is the main cause of the erosion of the road.

"We ask motorists to comply with the directions of officers in the field and remain cautious in order to prevent the risk of accidents," he added.

Meanwhile, the surrounding community hopes that road repairs will be carried out as soon as possible considering that this route is an important access linking Pacitan to Ponorogo.

A local resident, Suyatno (47), revealed that the damage to this road had a major impact on economic activity.

"This route is a lot of goods transport trucks. If it is disturbed like this, the delivery of goods will be hampered," he said.

The East Java Provincial Government through the Bina Marga DPU is also reportedly preparing an additional budget for more permanent handling.

According to the Head of the Pacitan Road and Bridge Management UPT, the emergency repair process is expected to be completed in the next few weeks, although the total repairs take longer.