Ahead of Lebaran Homecoming, Commission V of the DPR asks the Government to repair holes in the Sumatra Toll Road

Illustration of Trans Sumatra Toll (ANTARA)

Member of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Ruslan M. Daud, asked the government and the Toll Road Business Entity (BUJT) to ensure the readiness of the Trans Sumatra Toll infrastructure before the 2026 Lebaran homecoming flow began. Among them, repairing road damage to the readiness of rest areas which will greatly help the smooth running of Sumatran travelers.

"The homecoming flow will occur in the next few weeks. We ask the government to immediately ensure that the Sumatra Toll Road is really ready. The quality of the road surface must be ensured to be smooth, safe, and suitable to cross. Don't let there be improvements that are only carried out when the homecoming flow is already running," said Ruslan to reporters, Monday, March 2.

Ruslan revealed that he received complaints from the public regarding the damage to the Sumatra toll road. One of them is the hole point on the Kayu Agung-Palembang toll road which is considered dangerous for the safety of travelers.

"We hope that the potholes or uneven road conditions on the toll road will be repaired immediately. We don't want a toll road that should be a solution to smooth mobility, but instead become a vulnerable point of accident due to poor asphalt quality," he said.

In addition to the physical condition of the road, this legislator from Aceh also highlighted the importance of optimizing supporting facilities. He asked the toll road manager to conduct a thorough inspection of street lighting, markings, and drainage systems to anticipate extreme weather.

He emphasized that the minimal lighting along the Sumatra route was a critical note because it greatly affected the safety of drivers during night travel.

"We ask that lighting facilities along the toll road be ensured to function optimally. Good lighting has a great influence on driver safety, especially to minimize the risk of accidents due to fatigue and limited visibility," he said.

Furthermore, Ruslan reminded managers to improve the management of rest areas. He emphasized that facilities such as the availability of clean water, hygienic toilets, and parking arrangements must be seriously considered to accommodate the surge in travelers.

According to him, adequate rest areas are an important instrument to reduce the number of accidents due to driver fatigue.

"Rest areas have an important role in reducing the risk of accidents. If the facilities are good, drivers can rest properly. This should not be ignored for the safety of people's lives," he concluded.