NORTH BENGKULU (Bina Marga) - The Ministry of PUPR through the Directorate General of Highways will assist in handling landslides in the Bintunan-Ketahun toll road in North Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu.

This was revealed after the landslide point was reviewed by the Minister of PUPR, Basuki Hadimuljono accompanied by the North Bengkulu Regent, Mian, the Director General of Highways Sugiyartanto, and the Head of the National Road Implementation Office III, Aidil Fikri, on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

The avalanche caused by sea water abrasion accompanied by high rainfall at sta 76 + 100 in November 2018 ago. As a result, nearly half of the road was lost to the sea and left a landslide gaping 20 meters long, 15 meters wide and 16 meters high.

Although dangerous to be passed, this incident did not cause a queue of vehicles because this section was relatively quiet bypassed vehicles.

As stated at the beginning, the handling of this section is in the form of assistance because this section is classified as Non-Status, not under the authority of the central or provincial governments. Previously, the 27.4 Km segment had the status of a National Road and included the Sumatra West Line (linbar), but since 2004 the status has changed.

In exchange, the newly established national road is Jalan Ketahun - Ds. Air Limas - Bintunan 31.17 km long. The reason for the release of status is not certain the author.

As a follow up, the Director General of Highways, Sugiyartanto instructed BPJN III to handle landslides and repair damaged road conditions at several points.

The instruction was responded swiftly by the Head of BBPJN III, Aidil Fikri, he promised to conduct a survey as soon as possible to deal with the avalanche. "We will handle the landslide first so the segments do not break," he said.

Aidil assumed his side would handle the avalanche by storing large stones as a barrier to sea water. "The advice of the director general (piling up stones) seems correct and the cheapest," he admitted.

After handling landslide sta76 + 100, BPJN III will handle road damage in the Bintunan-Ketahun section. According to the data received, there are 9 Km of lightly damaged roads, 1.6 km of moderate damage, 3.4 Km of heavily damaged. (Ian)