Govt accelerates infrastructure recovery in disaster-hit Aceh

hartono · Mar 10, 2026

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo (right) speaks to reporters after inspecting a landslide-hit area in Aceh on Monday (March 9, 2026). /ANTARA/Rahmat Fajri.

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has declared the rapid restoration of damaged roads and bridges across Aceh Province a government priority as part of ongoing recovery efforts following floods and landslides that struck in November last year, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said.

“As instructed by President Prabowo, we are prioritizing the reconstruction of roads and bridges in Aceh to improve connectivity,” he said during an inspection of infrastructure in Bener Meriah District, Aceh, on Monday, March 9.

Hanggodo made the statement in response to Bener Meriah District Head Tagor Abubakar, who briefed him on the economic impact of disrupted mobility following the disasters, which claimed more than 1,000 lives across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

He emphasized that the central government is committed to assisting affected regions in restoring damaged facilities and infrastructure, including those administratively managed by local governments.

“We will help repair around 154 bridges and several provincial and district road sections that remain damaged,” Hanggodo said.

The minister acknowledged the vital role of roads and bridges in sustaining local economies, prompting the government to accelerate recovery measures.

He added that the Ministry of Public Works would refer to Presidential Instruction No. 11 of 2025 in restoring damaged provincial and district roads and bridges.

The executive order aims to intensify efforts to strengthen regional road connectivity and support broader national goals of achieving food and energy self-sufficiency.

“The presidential instruction provides the central government with a strong legal basis to intervene in regional road development,” he said.

Government data show that the disasters damaged 154 bridges connected to national, provincial, and district roads in Bener Meriah District. A total of 184 road sections were also damaged, including parts of national roads, some of which are currently under repair.

Earlier, District Head Abubakar confirmed that the disasters had severely affected Bener Meriah District, warning of potential annual losses of up to Rp500 billion, or nearly US$30 million, in the arabica coffee trade due to damaged roads.

He noted gradual improvements in national road conditions amid ongoing repairs but stressed that central government intervention remains necessary.