PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government proposed the construction of underpasses, river normalization, and strengthening of clean water infrastructure to the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) to address traffic congestion, flooding, and support regional economic growth during a hearing in Central Jakarta (8/6/2026).

The audience was led by the Acting Regent of Bekasi, Asep Surya Atmaja, along with regional officials to synchronize Bekasi Regency's development programs with the national development agenda.

In the meeting, the Bekasi Regency Government ensured that a number of National Strategic Programs (PSN) in its area continued to run according to plan, including the Waste Processing into Electrical Energy (PSEL) at the Burangkeng Landfill, the Giant Sea Wall, the People's School, the Jatiluhur I Regional Drinking Water Supply System, and the South Jakarta-Cikampek II Toll Road.

Asep said Bekasi Regency needs additional infrastructure support to sustain the activities of Southeast Asia's largest industrial area and maintain a continuously developing investment climate.

"Thank God, today we had an audience with Bappenas regarding development synchronization. We have indeed secured several national strategic programs, including the Waste-to-Electricity Processing (PSEL) at the Burangkeng Landfill, the Giant Sea Wall, the People's School (SR), the Jatiluhur I Regional Water Supply System (SPAM) and the South Japek II Water Supply System (Japek II Selatan), which are currently being monitored to ensure they run according to plan," he said.

The Bekasi Regency Government also requested support from the central government to expedite the construction of underpasses at a number of railway crossings that have been congestion points in various areas.

"We want several railway crossings that are already very congested to be handled through the construction of underpasses or other solutions to reduce congestion," explained Asep.

Besides traffic jams, flood management is a major concern because Bekasi Regency is located in a downstream area that receives water runoff from upstream areas during high rainfall.

Therefore, the regional government proposed river normalization and handling of river silting, which is the authority of the central government, so that the risk of flooding can be reduced.

"Bekasi is located downstream. When it rains in Bogor, even if it doesn't rain in Bekasi, water still flows into our area. Therefore, we are requesting central government support for river normalization and addressing river silting, which falls under the central government's authority," he said.

Asep is optimistic that a number of national strategic programs and proposed supporting infrastructure can begin to be realized in 2027 after receiving support and direction from Bappenas.

"God willing, the national strategic program will be realized. There were no problems with the PSEL, SR, Sea Wall, or Japek II. What we're asking for is additional support for water channels, railroad crossing management, and flood control," he said.

The implementation of these various programs is expected to provide direct benefits to the community through reduced traffic congestion, reduced flood risks, improved clean water services, and growing economic and investment opportunities in Bekasi Regency.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/bhf)