Cabinet Secretary: Bailey Bridge Construction In Disaster Area Accelerated

Screenshots - a number of TNI AD soldiers built Bailey bridge in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. (ANTARA/Instagram/@secretariat.kabinet)

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that the construction of a number of Bailey bridges in flood-affected areas continues to be accelerated, including in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra.

"The construction of several Bailey bridges continues to be accelerated in several areas affected by the flood, one of which is in the Head of South Tapanuli," said Seskab Teddy as quoted by ANTARA from an upload on the Cabinet Secretariat Instagram account (@secretariat.kabinet), Tuesday, December 9.

Teddy said the temporary bridge was built by the Indonesian Army and became an important access to restore land routes that were cut off due to large floods and heavy river currents.

"This temporary bridge is an important lifeblood to restore land access which was cut off due to heavy flooding and heavy river currents," he said.

In the video uploaded to the Cabinet Secretariat's Instagram account, it can be seen that a number of TNI AD soldiers work hand in hand to build the Bailey bridge in Central Tapanuli.

The construction of the bridge uses various materials, ranging from iron, stone, to wood. The soldiers were seen compiling stones as a foundation for bridges to cutting wood to be used as bridge floors.

At the end of the video, there is audio from President Prabowo Subianto who appreciates the work of TNI soldiers who worked hard to build the bridge.

"Seeing the construction of the Bailey bridge which is being carried out by the TNI, I see the work is going well. Thank you," said the President.

Previously, President Prabowo instructed the construction of the Bailey bridge to be completed in the next week to reconnect the road to a number of villages in the disaster-affected areas in Sumatra.

This was conveyed in a limited meeting at the Aceh Natural Disaster Management National Assistance Post located at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Force Base, Aceh Besar, Sunday (7/12).

"I saw the construction of the Bailey bridge which is being carried out by the Public Works Department and assisted by the TNI and I saw that the work was also going well. It is hoped that in one week it will be operational, so that the next bridges have started to open," he said.

Until last night, the Ministry of Public Works continued to accelerate the installation of Bailey bridges in a number of locations.

In his statement, the Head of State hoped that the Bailey bridge would be a top priority in opening access to isolated areas due to disasters in Sumatra.