Frequently Claiming Victims, Batukuning Road in OKU Will Finally Be Repaired Gradually Until 2026

Inauguration of the Batukuning concrete road repairs, OKU Regency, South Sumatra, Tuesday. ANTARA/Edo Purmana

OKU - The South Sumatra Provincial Government has allocated IDR 7 billion to repair the Batukuning Concrete Road in Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, which has been damaged for several years.

The initial phase of work was marked by the operation of a vibratory roller by South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru on Tuesday.

The Governor stated that the repair of the road connecting OKU Regency with Prabumulih City is the answer to the community's long-awaited need for better road access.

"The repair of this concrete road will be carried out over two fiscal years, covering 11 kilometers, with a total budget of IDR 50 billion," Deru said, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, December 2.

The initial phase, at the end of this year, will involve repairs covering 900 meters with a width of seven meters, with a budget of IDR 7 billion. He confirmed that further work will be carried out in the 2026 fiscal year.

On that occasion, Deru also highlighted the frequent use of large-tonnage vehicles, or Over Dimension and Over Load (ODOL), on this section, which accelerates road damage.

"This road has a class IIA capacity, or a maximum of 10 tons. So please reduce the load first," he stressed.

Meanwhile, OKU Regent Teddy Meilwansyah expressed his gratitude to the South Sumatra Provincial Government for starting the long-awaited road repairs. He stated that the damaged road condition has caused a number of traffic accidents.

"So far, repairs have been carried out partially through collaboration between the OKU Regency Government and mining and plantation companies, but they have not been optimal. The road's capacity is only 10 tons, while passing vehicles carry more than 30 tons," he said.

The Regent hopes that repairs can be carried out comprehensively so that the public can once again enjoy safe and adequate road access.