PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government, together with the Citarum River Basin Office (BBWS), will clean up illegal buildings and normalize the Balong Tua Secondary Canal (SS) as an effort to restore the function of the irrigation channel that supplies water to approximately 1,500 hectares of agricultural land in the northern region of Bekasi Regency.

Bekasi Acting Regent Asep Surya Atmaja stated that the measure was taken following the narrowing of the riverbed due to illegal construction and sedimentation, which has impeded water flow. This situation is considered to have the potential to disrupt irrigation supplies, especially during the dry season.

"This normalization is being carried out to improve water flow and anticipate drought in agricultural land. Therefore, I have instructed all relevant regional agencies to collaborate in supporting its implementation," said Asep on Monday (June 29, 2026).

He explained that the Social Services Agency has been tasked with conducting outreach to the affected community. The Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the Environmental Agency (DLH) will carry out the demolition of illegal buildings, while the Water Resources, Highways, and Construction Agency (SDA-BMBK) will provide heavy equipment such as excavators. The Agriculture Agency will distribute seed aid after the normalization process is complete.

According to Asep Surya Atmaja, the Balong Tua River Basin is an irrigation canal under the authority of the Citarum River Basin Management Agency (BBWS). The main sluice gate is located at BSH-34, Sukamulya Village, Sukatani District, with water sourced from the Hulu BSH-0 River Dam.

The 9.7-kilometer canal crosses the districts of Sukatani, Tambelang, and Sukawangi. Of this total length, 7.6 kilometers will be normalized by the Citarum River Basin Management Agency (BBWS).

The irrigation flow irrigates rice fields in Sukawijaya Village, Sukabakti, and Sukabudi Village, which are included in the Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B) area, so its existence is considered strategic for maintaining food security in Bekasi Regency.

Asep Surya Atmaja hopes that residents who have erected buildings along the canal banks can dismantle their buildings independently so that the cleanup process runs smoothly.

"Through this normalization, the water needs of 1,500 hectares of rice fields can be met, especially during the dry season. We urge the public to support this regulation for the common good," he said.

He also asked the sub-district heads in the Sukatani, Tambelang, and Sukawangi areas to continue to conduct outreach to residents so that the implementation of the clean-up can take place conducively.

According to him, the 7.6-kilometer normalization program is a follow-up to farmers' requests for improved irrigation services. The Bekasi Regency Government, along with the Citarum River Basin Management Agency (BBWS), Perum Jasa Tirta (PJT) II, and relevant regional agencies, will continue to collaborate to ensure the program runs according to plan and benefits the agricultural sector in Bekasi Regency.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/rka)