West Sumatra Police Escort The Trial Of Opening The Anai Valley Line

West Sumatra Police Traffic Director Kombes Dwi Nur Setiawan while participating in a road opening trial in Lembah Anai, Tanah Datar on Thursday (18/7/2024). ANTARA/FathulAbdi

The Traffic Directorate of the West Sumatra Regional Police (Polda) also oversees the trial of opening the route in the Anai Valley area, Tanah Datar.

West Sumatra Police Traffic Director Kombes Dwi Nur Setiawan and his staff went directly with Governor Mahyeldi to the Anai Valley which had been closed for more than two months.

"We are going down to see the readiness to open this flow, to check how the implementation and the possibility that will occur when it opens on July 21," Dwi said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, July 18.

He said that from a temporary study, the road in the Anai Valley area could be passed, but there were three points where the open-close system was implemented.

Dwi explained that during the trial opening of the current, many vehicles crossed the local road.

According to him, the option to reopen the Anai Valley route, which is a Sumatra highway, was carried out based on a joint decision with the regional government and related agencies.

He said the police supported the opening of the road in order to revive the connecting road between Padang and Bukittinggi.

"We are trying to support the wheels of the economy to move again as expected from the local government, because this area is the main support for transportation," he explained.

Dwi explained that the opening of the route in the Anai Valley will automatically reduce the burden in the Sitinjau Lauik and Malalak areas which are alternative routes since the road in the Anai Valley broke completely.

To note, the Anai Valley route has been completely cut off due to severe damage after being hit by flash floods since May 12.

The closure had to be carried out because the road was damaged, as well as giving time for relevant agencies to carry out repairs.