Wait For The Center Not To Arrive, North Barito Regency Government Repairs Its Own National Road

16 points of damaged national roads in the North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, Tuesday (10/6/2025). BETWEEN/Personal Documents

MUARA TEWEH - The government of North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, did not remain silent to see damage to national roads in its territory.

Even though the road is under the authority of the central government, the North Barito Regency Government still intervenes to improve it for the safety of road users.

"We have carried out emergency handling at a number of points with coatings and repairs to the shoulder of the road. This is a form of joint responsibility," said Head of the North Barito Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Office, Muhammad Iman Topic, in Muara Teweh, Antara, Wednesday, June 11.

The roads handled are part of the national road that becomes state assets, and are actually under the responsibility of the Central Kalimantan National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN).

However, due to severe damage and endangering road users, the North Barito PUPR Service decided to carry out emergency handling using pure APBD funds.

"This situation is not ideal, considering that there are limited budgets from the center. But we are still coordinating with the Ministry of PUPR and the Directorate General of Highways so that the handling can be appropriate and integrated," said Iman.

The direct handling will focus on the Simpang road section of Muara Teweh Airport to the city center, which is a national access of about seven kilometers.

"This is a vital route for citizen mobility and logistics. We will use the patching and hoarding method according to technical standards," said Iman.

In addition, repairs will also be continued to the Kundui Airport Intersection section, which has a total length of about 80 kilometers, although damage only occurs at a few points or critical spots.

Iman invites all parties, especially business actors, to participate in maintaining road infrastructure which is also used by various industrial sectors, including coal hauling companies from the direction of Kandui to Km 18.

"This national road is not only used by North Barito residents, but also from Murung Raya and its surroundings. It needs mutual cooperation to protect it," he said.

Regency Government Gets Permit To Repair National Roads

Meanwhile, the Acting Regent of North Barito, Indra Gunawan, said that his party had received permission from BPJN Central Kalimantan to repair national roads using the district budget.

"This road is financed through the state budget, but the damaged condition is dangerous. So we can't stand still. We have gone through the administrative steps, and now is the time to act," said Indra.

He emphasized that road users' safety is a top priority, so the district government has taken quick steps to carry out handling since June.