PU Ministry Prepares 1,461 Heavy Equipment to Handle Damaged Roads

Minister of PU, Dody Hanggodo (photo: kemenpu doc)

JAKARTA - The government does not want to take risks at the peak of the homecoming flow. The Ministry of Public Works immediately held a "full alert operation" by preparing 1,461 Disaster Relief Units (DRU) throughout Indonesia to face potential road damage, landslides, and floods that could paralyze the homecoming route in a matter of hours.

The equipment is prepared to speed up handling if there are disruptions to road infrastructure, such as road damage, landslides, and floods that have the potential to hinder people's travel during the homecoming period.

PU Minister, Dody Hanggodo, said the readiness of tools and materials is an important factor in maintaining national road connectivity, especially when community mobility increases significantly.

"The PU Ministry has prepared various emergency response equipment and materials throughout Indonesia to ensure a quick response if there are disruptions to road infrastructure during the Lebaran homecoming and return period," said Dody, quoted from a written statement, Sunday, March 22.

A total of 1,461 DRU units were distributed to six main regions, namely Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua, and the Nusa Tenggara and Maluku Islands.

The placement of equipment is adjusted to the characteristics of the region and the potential risk of disasters in each national road corridor.

Java Island as the region with the highest traffic received the largest allocation, namely 428 DRU units. Meanwhile, in Sumatra 244 units, Kalimantan 233 units, Sulawesi 196 units, Papua 141 units, and the Nusa Tenggara and Maluku Islands regions 219 units.

Apart from heavy equipment, Dody said, his party also prepared various supporting materials, such as bailey bridges, sandbags, culverts, asphalt to geotextiles. All of these equipment are placed in strategic points so that they can be used immediately when there are disturbances in the field.

Dody added that the readiness applies throughout the Lebaran homecoming and return period, namely from March 11 to April 1, 2026.

"With this readiness, it is hoped that the public can travel home and return to their home areas safely, smoothly, and comfortably," he concluded.