PU Minister Assures East Java Infrastructure Readiness Ahead of Nataru

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo. (Photo: VOI Doc)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo ensures the readiness of road infrastructure and service posts in East Java ahead of the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holiday traffic.

This was conveyed after reviewing a number of functional toll road posts and sections in the region.

Dody said that in general, the road conditions and supporting facilities are relatively ready to serve the surge in community mobility.

However, he admitted that he still found a number of technical notes, especially related to the cleanliness of public facilities at the post.

"In general, it's okay, it's just that earlier at the post there were notes about the toilet that needed to be improved in terms of cleanliness," Dody told reporters, Sunday, December 21.

According to him, the problem must be immediately addressed because the post and rest area will be the main stopping point for toll road users during the holiday period, especially when the volume of vehicles increases significantly.

One of the focus of the review is the operation of a functional toll road in East Java. Currently, the Gending-Probolinggo toll road section to Paiton along approximately 24 kilometers has been functionalized to support vehicle traffic to Bali.

"This toll we have functionalized because the majority of people who go on vacation to Bali pass through the toll, not the national road," said Dody.

He added, the government continues to encourage the acceleration of the completion of the continuation section to Besuki. If it is in accordance with the target, a total of around 25 kilometers of functional toll roads are expected to be used during the peak of the Lebaran and Nataru holidays, thus facilitating connectivity and logistics distribution.

Regarding the vulnerable points of disasters in East Java, Dody said the number was relatively limited. Some areas of concern include the area around Mount Semeru, which is still erupting, as well as the Malang area and its surroundings, which are prone to landslides.

"For Semeru, the bridge is still being taken care of. If there is an eruption and dust, it will be immediately cleaned. At other vulnerable points, we have prepared heavy equipment as a precautionary measure," he explained.

Meanwhile, in terms of comfort and the contour of the toll road, Dody assessed that the condition of the section reviewed was quite safe and suitable for vehicles to pass through.

In addition to East Java, the Minister of PU also touched on the readiness of infrastructure in Bali which is the main destination for Nataru tourism. He admitted that the problem of flooding and congestion around I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport was still a challenge, especially due to problems with garbage and drainage.

In the long term, the government encourages the acceleration of the Waste to Energy (WTE) program in major cities, including Bali, DKI Jakarta, and other regions, to reduce the burden of urban waste which has an impact on flooding and disruption of economic activities.

"The normalization of drainage is not 100 percent, but we have started. Hopefully it can reduce congestion and flooding, so that the Nataru tourism activity runs smoothly," he said.

Dody appealed to the public to drive wisely during the Christmas holiday.

"We hope that the public can enjoy a safe and healthy holiday, and return to their respective homes in good condition," he concluded.