Student Bus Ever Turned Over, Sipirok-Sipagimbar Road Now Included in the Repair Plan

The provincial road section of Sipirok-Sipagimbar in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, has finally been included in the North Sumatra Provincial Government's repair plan in the 2026 budget year. (IST)

JAKARTA - The provincial road section of Sipirok-Sipagimbar in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, has finally been included in the North Sumatra Provincial Government's repair plan in the 2026 budget year. This news is important for residents because the road damage has been disturbing school activities, the economy, and inter-regional transportation for years.

The Chairman of the Golkar Party Faction of the North Sumatra DPRD, H Aswin Painduri, said that the repair of the road section had been discussed in the North Sumatra DPRD and entered the provincial budget.

"I will ensure that the road will be repaired immediately in the 2026 fiscal year, considering that it has been budgeted in North Sumatra Province," said Aswin in a written statement received in Jakarta, Monday, May 25.

According to Aswin, the improvements include the improvement of the provincial road structure of the Sipirok-Tandosan section, the Tandosan-Simangambat section to Sipagimbar, Saipar Dolok Hole District, and the Sipagimbar section to the northern Padang Lawas border.

Aswin also conveyed the same thing during the recess and met with residents in Arse District and Lancat Julu Football Field, South Tapanuli.

"Insyaallah the road will be repaired," he said.

Residents welcomed the news with great hope. Ahmad Dhaim Pardede, a resident of Huta Padang Village, Arse District, said the road repair was eagerly awaited because the damage had lasted for almost five years.

"This is a breath of fresh air for the community, considering that the road has been severely damaged for almost five years," said Ahmad.

Member of the South Tapanuli DPRD from the Golkar Party, Defri Siregar, assessed that the road repair would help the economy of residents, especially in Sipirok, Arse, and Saipar Dolok Hole Districts.

"This is very helpful for the Tapsel economy," he said.

Support also came from the member of the South Tapanuli DPRD from the Nasdem Party, Maas Siagian. He hopes that the improvements will really be realized because residents have been bearing the impact of damaged roads for too long.

Maas, who is also the Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Sipirok Student Alumni or IKAPSI Tabagsel, said that schoolchildren were also affected. They have to pass through damaged roads every day.

He asked the South Tapanuli Regency Government to accompany and lobby the North Sumatra Provincial Government so that the work would not stop as planned.

"Let's control it together," Maas said.

The most severe damage was said to have occurred on the Bungabondar Village section to Arse to Aek Torop. At some points, vehicles can only travel about five kilometers per hour.

The damaged road was also said to have claimed victims. A bus carrying students overturned in Aek Torop. The victims had to be taken to the Sipirok General Hospital.

Complaints about this road have appeared many times in the media and social media. Therefore, the 2026 repair plan will be a test for the North Sumatra Provincial Government. Residents are now waiting to see whether the budget that is said to be available has really turned into a road that is worth passing.