Government Restores Roads and Bridges to Support NTT Earthquake Recovery

The Government continues to restore infrastructure in areas of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province affected by the earthquake.

Recovery efforts began on the day of the disaster, with priorities including reopening blocked roads and repairing damaged bridges.

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo reported on mitigation efforts to President Prabowo Subianto during an emergency response meeting following the NTT earthquake at the Earthquake Response Command Post located at the Infantry Battalion (Yonif) TP 834/WM base in Nagekeo regency, East Nusa Tenggara province, Wednesday (8/26).

“So, starting on the first day, that Saturday, and following the direction of Head of National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), we reopened all national roads, Sir,” said Dody.

According to Dody, these efforts ensure that all previously blocked roads and damaged bridges were functioning properly again, improving interregional connectivity and facilitating the delivery of logistical assistance to affected areas.

“Alhamdulillah, both facilities, all national roads and bridges, are now functioning properly,” he explained.

Doddy further explained that the Ministry was mapping several landslides-prone locations to identify areas requiring heightened vigilance.

“The earthquake tremors are continuing, as explained by Head of the BNPB. We have identified 143 locations at risk of landslides and stationed excavators there. So, when a landslide occurred, we could immediately clear the debris to ensure that people’s activities were not disrupted,” he explained.

Doddy also explained that restoring the bridges had been a priority since the first day, as it was essential to support fuel distribution.

“By the second day, alhamdulillah, the bridges were operational. Although the vehicles had to cross one at a time, we conducted tests with loads of up to 20 tons and the bridges remained stable,” he explained.

In addition to restoring roads and bridges, the Minister underscored that clean-water facilities were a priority. The Ministry also carried out verification and phased recovery efforts to ensure affected communities could regain access to clean water.

“In addition to the roads we have been maintaining, we will also prioritize meeting basic water needs, Sir, in accordance with your [President Prabowo Subianto] directive that no task should be left unfinished, wherever our people may be,” he added.  (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RD/EP)