BALINEWSID.COM, SUMATRA – Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has urged the government and state-owned construction companies to accelerate the development of the Binjai–Langsa Toll Road and the proposed Langsa–Aceh Tamiang section.

The call was made during a working visit by Commission VI to temporary housing facilities in Aceh Tamiang and the Binjai–Langsa Toll Road project on Wednesday (July 22). The visit was led by Commission VI working team chairman Andre Rosiade.

The delegation included Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah, Aceh Tamiang Regent Armia Pahmi, Deputy for Facilitation and Development Synergy at the State-Owned Enterprises Regulatory Agency (BP BUMN) Hambra, Senior Director Sector Specialist for Property & Real Estate at Danantara Asset Management (DAM) Dian Takdir Badrsyah, Hutama Karya President Director Koentjoro, Hutama Karya Director of Operations III Iwan Hermawan, as well as representatives of other state-owned construction companies, local governments and related agencies.

The visit began with an inspection of temporary shelters in Aceh Tamiang, which are still occupied by residents affected by natural disasters. The inspection was conducted to assess the condition and suitability of the facilities while residents wait for the completion of permanent housing.

Andre Rosiade said the temporary shelters, which had been occupied for an extended period, had begun to suffer damage in some areas.

He called on Hutama Karya and other state-owned construction companies, in coordination with Danantara Indonesia, to re-inspect all temporary shelters and immediately repair damaged facilities.

“The temporary housing facilities have been used by residents for quite some time, and some have begun to deteriorate. I have asked Hutama Karya and other state-owned construction companies, through Danantara, to re-check all the shelters that have been built and immediately carry out maintenance on damaged sections,” Andre said.

He added that the repairs were necessary to ensure residents could continue living comfortably while waiting for the completion of permanent housing.

The delegation then visited a rest area along the Binjai–Langsa Toll Road on the section currently operating up to Pangkalan Brandan. During the visit, Commission VI members received a briefing on the development of the Binjai–Langsa Toll Road, which forms part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) network connecting North Sumatra and Aceh.

The Binjai–Pangkalan Brandan section, stretching 57.5 kilometers, is currently operational and serving public mobility. Once the toll road is connected to Langsa, the entire Binjai–Langsa corridor is expected to span approximately 130.7 kilometers, strengthening connectivity between North Sumatra and Aceh.

The Binjai–Langsa Toll Road consists of five sections: Section 1, Binjai–Stabat, covering 12.3 kilometers; Section 2, Stabat–Tanjung Pura, covering 26.2 kilometers; Section 3, Tanjung Pura–Pangkalan Brandan, covering 19.02 kilometers and currently operational; Section 4, Pangkalan Brandan–Kuala Simpang, covering 44.2 kilometers; and Section 5, Kuala Simpang–Langsa, covering 29 kilometers.

The meeting also discussed plans to develop the Langsa–Aceh Tamiang Toll Road as a continuation of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road corridor in Aceh.

The proposed section is considered strategically important not only for strengthening connectivity between North Sumatra and Aceh but also for improving transportation resilience in disaster-prone areas, particularly Aceh Tamiang, which is vulnerable to flooding.

The toll road is expected to facilitate the rapid mobilization of personnel and humanitarian aid during disasters, improve logistics distribution, and strengthen the resilience of the transportation network in northern Sumatra.

According to a 2024 Core study, the Pangkalan Brandan–Langsa corridor is projected to reduce travel distances by up to 15.03 percent and travel time by 51.78 percent. The project is also estimated to have an Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 13.24 percent, indicating its potential to support economic growth, investment and more balanced regional development.

Andre Rosiade expressed full support for accelerating the development of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road corridor in northern Sumatra, particularly the completion of the Pangkalan Brandan–Langsa section and the proposed Langsa–Aceh Tamiang section.

“We hope the Pangkalan Brandan–Langsa Toll Road alignment can soon enter the construction stage so that connectivity from Medan to Aceh can be realized as soon as possible,” Andre said.

He added that Commission VI would continue to encourage cooperation among the government, Danantara Indonesia and Hutama Karya to accelerate the realization of the two toll road sections, given their strategic benefits for connectivity, regional economic growth, logistics distribution and disaster response.

Meanwhile, Hutama Karya Director of Operations III Iwan Hermawan expressed appreciation for the support provided by Commission VI through its oversight function concerning government policies in the state-owned enterprise sector, particularly in ensuring the continuation of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road development program.

“Such support is an important factor in ensuring that the development of the JTTS continues according to target, so that the benefits of improved connectivity, more equitable economic development and increased regional competitiveness can soon be felt by the public,” Iwan said.

Regarding the temporary shelters, Iwan said Hutama Karya would coordinate with Danantara Indonesia and relevant agencies to follow up on the findings from the inspection.

The working visit underscored the commitment of Commission VI, the government, Danantara Indonesia and state-owned construction companies to supporting post-disaster recovery and accelerating strategic national infrastructure development.

The collaboration is expected to speed up the completion of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road corridor, strengthen connectivity between North Sumatra and Aceh, improve regional disaster resilience, and deliver sustainable economic and social benefits to communities across northern Sumatra.