PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government is targeting the lowering of overhead utility cables on 85 roads to be completed before the end of 2026 to improve the safety, comfort, and aesthetics of the city (14/7/2026).

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the program is part of the city's urban planning program, which has had a legal basis and a collaborative scheme since 2018.

"Our target is to have all 85 roads fully wired by December 2026. This is part of our city planning efforts to make it more beautiful, safe, and orderly," said Farhan.

Farhan explained that the Bandung City Government assigned PT Bandung Infra Investama as a Regionally-Owned Enterprise to collaborate with the private sector.

The Bandung City Government is not involved in the tariff negotiation process between telecommunications operators and PT Bandung Infra Investama because it is a business mechanism.

Farhan admitted that the quality of civil works had been a concern at the start of the project before being improved through evaluation.

"We've conducted a rigorous evaluation of the civil works. The results are much better now. While there are still some areas for improvement, overall the quality has improved," he said.

The overhead cable lowering program also aims to reduce the risk of tangled cables and support more modern city infrastructure.

Farhan requested that work progress be regularly reported to the public so that residents are aware of the location and work schedule.

"Make sure our media colleagues receive weekly updates on work progress. Let the public know where excavations are taking place and where cables are being lowered, so everyone has clear information," said Farhan.

Farhan also instructed that all excavation work be coordinated with the Water Resources and Highways Agency and be equipped with safety standards.

"Ensure that barriers or safety barriers are installed whenever excavations are carried out. Ensure that no cables are dangling or scattered, posing a danger to the public. Residents' safety must be a priority," he stressed.

Farhan emphasized that six vital services, including banking, health, education, government administration, public services, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), must not experience network disruptions.

"Hospitals, clinics, schools, universities, police stations, TNI offices, banks, and administrative services must not have their internet connections cut off, even for a second. Only after everything is confirmed safe can the cables be cut," he said.

Farhan reminded that operators who have not moved their networks to underground utilities can no longer maintain overhead cables.

Farhan also confirmed that the Bandung City Government will take action against operators who continue to install overhead cables illegally.

"Who caught it? A member of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) during a supervision inspection. We were happy to cut the cable immediately. So, this enforcement effort is indeed a game of cat and mouse. But the rules must still be enforced," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Communications and Informatics Agency, Henryco Arie Sapiie, said that program implementation monitoring is carried out with PT Bandung Infra Investama every week.

Henryco stated that work intensity in July 2026 increased to six points per week from the previous three points.

"This month's target is 27 roads. To date, we have completed work on 15 roads and are optimistic that all targets can be achieved on schedule," said Henryco.

The work includes Jalan Gatot Subroto Utara, Gatot Subroto Selatan, Java, Bangka, Lombok, Veteran, Independence Pioneer, Candra Buana Troops, Aceh, and a number of other sections.

Henryco ensures that all work is carried out with traffic security and coordination with the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the Transportation Agency, the police, and telecommunications operators to ensure that community activities continue to run smoothly.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)