The Bintan Regency Government, through the Public Works, Spatial Planning, and Land Office (PUPRP), moved quickly to respond to public complaints regarding severe damage to Jalan Kampung Banjar Baru, Gunung Kijang Village. This handling step was taken after a protest by residents who planted banana trees in the road's puddles went viral on social media.
The road access connecting the Kilometer 18 area to Galang Batang has reportedly been damaged for years without any concrete repairs. Local residents mentioned that the depth of the potholes varies between 25 to 50 centimeters, which frequently triggers traffic accidents. Although repair proposals have always been submitted in the Development Planning Consultation (Musrenbang) since 2019, their realization continues to be delayed.
Head of Bintan PUPRP Office, Wan Afandi, stated that his party had gone to the field to dialogue with residents and inspect the location. As a short-term solution, the local government has started backfilling soil on the worst-damaged points so that the connecting road can soon be traversed more safely.
Wan Afandi explained that the permanent repair of the 500-meter road requires an estimated budget that is quite large, reaching IDR 4.5 billion. Therefore, the repaving work is projected to start in the next fiscal year, sourced from either the Bintan Regency Regional Budget (APBD) or through aid fund applications to the central government.
As an initial step to handle water puddles, which are the main trigger for the rapid damage of the road body, the Bintan Regency Government has allocated a budget of IDR 260 million this year. This budget is specifically dedicated to building an adequate drainage system around the location before the road repaving is carried out.
