Ensure the Nataru Homecoming Route is Safe, PU Minister: If a Hole is Found, it will be Immediately Sealed

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo while at the PPK 1.1 Jateng Homecoming Post in Tegal, Central Java. (Photo: VOI Doc)

TEGAL - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has activated checkpoints on a number of national roads and toll roads to ensure the safety and comfort of road users, especially in the face of extreme weather conditions and increasing traffic volume.

Each post is equipped with a Disaster Relief Unit (DRU) and supporting equipment such as sandbags, geobags, and sheet piles in certain locations.

The equipment is prepared for quick handling in the event of disasters such as floods or landslides in vulnerable points that have been mapped beforehand.

"The most important thing from this post is actually to ensure that road users can stop and rest if they are tired. Don't force it, because it is dangerous, both for yourself and for other road users," said Minister of PU Doddy Hanggodo to reporters at the PPK 1.1 Tegal Post, Saturday, December 20.

In addition to being a resting place, the post also serves as a center for monitoring road conditions.

The officer of the Commitment Maker Officer (PPK) 1.1 Tegal who was on duty was able to immediately check the stability of the road in his area of responsibility, including ensuring that there were no holes in the road body even in rainy conditions.

"Even if a hole is found, it can be immediately patched or patched with cold asphalt so as not to interfere with road users," he said.

For the Central Java region, there were 15 flood-prone points and nine landslide-prone points.

The Ministry of PU targets that emergency handling can be carried out in less than five hours from the incident so as not to interfere with community activities.

"We have prepared the equipment. We do not expect landslides or disasters, but if it happens, the target can be handled immediately," he said.

The standby team is also always prepared at each post. In addition to the officers who are on duty regularly, additional teams will be deployed immediately if there is a disaster in the vulnerable point.

Meanwhile, regarding the condition of road stability in Central Java is in the range of 90 percent, still slightly below the national standard.

Still, Dody said, his party acknowledged the decline due to delays in handling, especially on the Pantura line.

"For us, it is good if the audit results show a decrease, which means that the audit is done correctly. From there we can focus on making improvements," he said.

He also highlighted the condition of a number of toll road sections that are still bumpy, including the Cipali Toll Road.

His party has coordinated with the local Toll Road Business Entity (BUJT) to immediately carry out repairs, although the implementation is likely to be carried out after the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holiday period given the high traffic flow.

"If it is close to the peak of the holiday, it is indeed difficult to make major improvements. Usually it is done after Nataru," he concluded.