DHARMASRAYA (31 May 2023) - The people of Jorong Rumah Padang, Nagari Koto Salak, Koto Salak District now no longer need to cross the Trans Sumatra Road to go to the garden. Usually, people have to travel more than 1.5 hours to reach the gardens and markets which are only bounded by the river. The bridge is a vital object for the people of Jorong Rumah Padang because their daily activities involve going to the garden and to the market which is located across the river. It only took them 15 minutes to cross the bridge once it was completed.


On 28 May 2023, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini inaugurated the bridge connecting Koto Salak District and Sungai Rumbai District.


"It's the residents' request to connect access here for them to markets and schools. It is easier than going around," stated the Minister of Social Affairs in front of the media on Sunday (28/5).


This connecting bridge over the Batang Siat River is 90 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. Residents can access this bridge on foot or by motorcycle, subject to certain restrictions to ensure the bridge's long-term durability. "It can be maintained since the bridge load is limited and must be controlled. The Minister stated that it is preferable to have a maximum of three pedestrians and one motorcycle crossing the bridge.


Aside from connecting the economy, the bridge also acts as a disaster mitigation system in the Dharmasraya Regency, particularly in Koto Salak District. "Typically, this is used to prevent disasters. Disasters do occur in this area on occasion. If there is a tsunami, it can be used to escape. We calculated the height of this bridge above the water when the tsunami was at its peak," the Minister said.


This bridge was built to commemorate Tagana's 19th birthday. If gifts are usually given to birthday people, this is different, Disaster Response Volunteers (Tagana) want to provide a bridge for easy access for the community.


The Ministry of Social Affairs dispatched approximately 30 Tagana of West Sumatra and 15 Tagana Task Force men to build this bridge, working alongside Vertical Rescue Indonesia members and Nagari Koto Salak inhabitants. The construction began on 10 May 2023 and was completed on 28 May 2023.


"The bridge was built by Tagana. We have trained Tagana to build bridges like this. Previously 173 bridges had been built. So there has been special training for Tagana to build this suspension bridge," explained the Minister.


The construction of the bridge in Koto Salak was one of the 1000 bridge expeditions initiated by Vertical Rescue Indonesia.


Meanwhile, Deputy Nagari Koto Salak Afriwandi thanked the Ministry of Social Affairs for its help. He stated that residents have been waiting for a long time to gain access to Nagari Kurnia Koto Salak.


"Thank you so much; we and the community have been hoping for access to the connecting road. Thank God, with National Elderly Day and Tagana Anniversary, the people of Koto Salak's wishes and prayers have been granted. We are grateful to the Ministry of Social Affairs for their assistance," stated Afriwandi.