Here's PT Hutama Karhutla Mitigation Efforts On The Trans Sumatra Toll Road

PALEMBANG - PT Hutama Karya has upgraded equipment to support the blackout of land and forest fires (karhutla) as well as supervision at hotspots along the Trans Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) in Palembang, South Sumatra.

Executive Vice President (EVP) of the Corporate Secretary of Hutama Karya, Tjahjo Purnomo, said that this step includes the addition of a water tanker that has been modified with a fire pump engine, Light Fire Extinguishing Equipment (APAR), forest and land fires monitoring posts, portable pumps, and a firearm. The aim of this addition is that the fire can be controlled more quickly and extinguished during forest and land fires, so that road users can still drive safely.

In addition to improving equipment, Hutama Karya has also appealed and socialized to the public in various ways, such as banners, Variable Message Signs (VMS), and public address at toll gates and rest areas. They have also provided counseling to the homes of garden owners around toll roads.

In addition, Hutama Karya has conducted training and emergency response simulations of forest and land fires in several locations, involving more than 80 personnel from various fields. This training includes the basic competence of handling forest and land fires by firefighters (Damkar) as well as direct practice in the field related to handling forest and land fires and vehicle fires.

Tjahjo Purnomo expressed his hope that this training would help officers in the field in dealing with forest and land fires more efficiently.

During the period January to September, there have been around 100 forest and land fires in the area of the Terbangi Besar-Pematang Panggang-Kayu Agung (Terpeka) Toll Road and 25 incidents around the Palandra Toll Road, with vulnerable points in certain locations.

"Alhamdulillah, all incidents can be handled properly without any significant impact on toll road operations," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, September 30.

However, Hutama Karya managed to handle all these incidents without a significant impact on toll road operations.

Hutama Karya also invited the public to follow the local government's advice regarding the prevention of forest and land fires, because forest fires can cause state losses and those who cause forest and land fires can be subject to criminal sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations. They also remind road users to follow the rules that apply on toll roads for mutual safety.