BALINEWSID.COM, WEST SUMATRA – Repeated landslides along the Padang–Bukittinggi route have highlighted the urgent need for the construction of the Bukittinggi–Padang Panjang–Sicincin Toll Road as an alternative route and a strategic effort to strengthen connectivity in West Sumatra.

Bukittinggi and Padang Panjang are highland tourist destinations surrounded by hills, steep slopes and cliffs that are vulnerable to landslides. The risk is compounded by heavy traffic along the national road, which serves as a major transportation corridor connecting Padang with Bukittinggi and other parts of the province.

The latest landslide occurred at around 7:40 p.m. local time on Thursday (July 30, 2026), at KM 66+700 along the Padang–Bukittinggi road in the Lembah Anai area, X Koto District, Tanah Datar Regency.

The incident disrupted traffic in both directions, affecting motorists traveling between Padang and Bukittinggi.

The Lembah Anai route is a vital link between the two cities. Any prolonged closure caused by a landslide could severely disrupt public mobility, logistics distribution, tourism and other economic activities.

Against this backdrop, the proposed Bukittinggi–Padang Panjang–Sicincin Toll Road is increasingly being viewed as more than a transportation project. The government, through the Ministry of Public Works, has identified the development of the toll road as strategically important to reduce traffic congestion and provide a more reliable alternative corridor when the Lembah Anai route is affected by natural disasters.

The planned toll road also includes tunnel construction to address the challenging geographical conditions in the region. The infrastructure is expected to improve transportation reliability, maintain economic activity and strengthen West Sumatra’s resilience to future disaster risks.

Rino Zulyadi, chairman of the West Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Vehicle Rental Entrepreneurs Association (Aspera), said the toll road was urgently needed, particularly because landslides along the existing route have occurred repeatedly.

As a vehicle rental operator who frequently serves tourists, Rino said disruptions along the Padang–Bukittinggi route could directly affect tourism and public mobility.

“We certainly hope the toll road can be realized as soon as possible. We have heard that the construction stages of the Bukittinggi–Padang Panjang–Sicincin Toll Road, to be carried out by PT Hutama Karya, are about to begin. The people of West Sumatra will certainly support it,” Rino said on Saturday (Aug. 1, 2026).

He said the toll road would not only reduce vulnerability to landslides but also shorten travel times between major destinations, including Bukittinggi and Padang Panjang.

“The toll road would also be concrete evidence of more equitable development and would support people’s mobility and daily activities,” he said.

Rino also said the project could contribute to the wider development of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road network, potentially making travel from West Sumatra to neighboring provinces such as North Sumatra, Riau and Jambi faster and easier.

Regarding opposition from some residents to the toll road project, Rino urged all parties to resolve differences through dialogue and a mutually beneficial approach.

“Public consultation and a win-win solution are certainly the keys to resolving these issues, including addressing concerns among residents who oppose the construction of the toll road,” he said.

Khadafi, a fuel station entrepreneur from Padang, also welcomed the proposed toll road, saying better road infrastructure would expand access to West Sumatra and potentially attract more tourists.

“With the toll road, access to West Sumatra will certainly become wider and easier, encouraging more tourists to visit because travel distances and times will be reduced,” he said.

Khadafi said the project would also benefit fuel distribution, particularly to remote areas and locations vulnerable to natural disasters.

“For us, the toll road would save travel time. The Padang–Bukittinggi journey currently can take up to three hours. With the toll road, it could potentially be reduced to around one to one and a half hours,” he said.

The repeated landslides along the Lembah Anai corridor have underscored West Sumatra’s dependence on a vulnerable transportation route. The proposed Bukittinggi–Padang Panjang–Sicincin Toll Road is therefore being viewed not only as a means of reducing travel time, but also as a critical alternative corridor to strengthen the province’s connectivity, logistics network and resilience against natural disasters.