Prabowo orders completion of 5,000 village bridges by year-end

President Prabowo Subianto has mandated the completion of 5,000 village bridges by the end of 2026, aiming to enhance rural infrastructure and connectivity across Indonesia. During a press conference following the Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta, Prabowo announced that 1,000 of these bridges had already been constructed by July 2026, meeting an initial milestone of the ambitious plan. The president emphasized the urgency of finishing the remaining structures within the stipulated timeframe. Prabowo addressed the Bridge Repair Acceleration Task Force, which is led by General Maruli Simanjuntak, the Army Chief of Staff. He pressed the general on the feasibility of achieving the goal by the end of the year. After receiving assurances from General Maruli that the task force would intensify its efforts, Prabowo expressed satisfaction with the commitment. “5,000 (bridges) will be completed by 2026. Good,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of meeting this deadline. The initiative forms part of broader national efforts aimed at improving community connectivity, especially in remote and isolated areas. Previously, the government had set a target to construct 5,000 suspension bridges by the end of 2026. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya mentioned in a statement on June 25 that an intermediate target of 2,500 bridges was set for August 2026. This indicates a phased approach to the project, ensuring steady progress toward the ultimate goal. The construction of these suspension bridges involves close collaboration among the government, the Indonesian Army (TNI AD), and local communities. This partnership is designed to leverage military resources and expertise alongside civilian input to ensure efficient execution of the project. The initiative seeks to provide faster, safer, and more equitable access to transportation networks in Indonesia's outermost regions. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya highlighted the transformative potential of these bridges, noting that in many areas long divided by rivers, their presence could significantly alter the quality of life for residents. Construction activities are ongoing nationwide, with efforts focused on accelerating progress to meet the final deadline of December 2026. The government has previously reported on related projects, including the completion of four new suspension bridges aimed at improving village connectivity. Additionally, there have been reports of prioritizing the construction of dams and bridges in Sumatra as part of disaster recovery efforts following recent incidents. These developments underscore the multifaceted nature of infrastructure initiatives currently under way across the archipelago. The Indonesian Army has demonstrated rapid progress in bridge construction, having completed 300 pioneering bridges across the country within three months. This achievement highlights the military's capability to contribute effectively to large-scale infrastructure projects. As the deadline approaches, continued coordination between all stakeholders will be crucial to ensure the successful realization of the 5,000-bridge target by the end of 2026.