PU Ministry Allocates Rp337.83 Billion to Build Roads and Bridges in DOB Papua

Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is accelerating the construction of roads and bridges in the New Autonomous Region (DOB) of Papua to strengthen connectivity, open regional accessibility and encourage economic growth.

In 2026, the government allocated a budget of IDR 337.83 billion to support the construction of road and bridge networks in the Papua DOB area.

Minister PU Dody Hanggodo said that the construction of roads and bridges is an important foundation in accelerating inter-regional connectivity, supporting community mobility and opening access to economic growth centers and government in Papua DOB.

"Good connectivity will facilitate logistics distribution, increase people's access to basic services, and strengthen regional integration in areas that still face geographical challenges," said Dody, quoted from a written statement, Thursday, June 4.

Until May 18, 2026, the realization of finances reached Rp56.03 billion or 16.58 percent with a physical progress of 20.56 percent.

One of the projects being worked on is the reconstruction of the Simpang Kuprik-Kampung SP 9-SP 3 Salor Road in South Papua Province.

The work includes Segment 3 along 5 kilometers and Segment 4 along 6.8 kilometers which is a strategic access to the government area and the new economic growth center.

In addition, the Ministry is building the Kali Bumi-Karadiri Airport Road along 1.27 kilometers with a physical progress of 29.48 percent and the Waroki-Kali Bumi (New Airport) Road along 4.13 kilometers in Central Papua.

"The presence of this road section will increase accessibility to air transportation infrastructure as well as strengthen inter-regional connectivity," he said.

To increase the capacity of the existing road network, the Ministry of PU also widened the Nabire-Wanggar City Border Road along 7.25 kilometers with a progress of 39.64 percent.

The road is an important corridor for community mobility and distribution of goods in the Nabire area and its surroundings.

Not only road construction, the government also built the Kali Bumi Bawah Bridge with a length of 100 meters to increase the reliability of the transportation network and facilitate inter-regional connectivity which has been hampered by geographical conditions.

"Overall, the budget for the development of DOB Papua in 2026 managed by the Ministry of PU reached IDR 1.17 trillion," he said.

In addition to through the Directorate General (Ditjen) Bina Marga, support for the development of DOB Papua is also carried out through the Directorate General of Construction and the Directorate General of Water Resources to accelerate the provision of basic infrastructure that supports public services and government administration.

Dody hopes that the increase in connectivity in DOB Papua can accelerate economic growth, open up investment opportunities and improve the welfare of the community more evenly.