BLITAR – The Karangrejo-Sumberagung road repair project in Blitar is moving forward after residents planted banana trees along the damaged road as a public protest.
The unusual protest happened in Karangrejo Village, Garum District. Local residents placed banana trees in the middle of the main village road.
The action showed public frustration over potholes, dust, and serious safety risks caused by the damaged road.
However, the Blitar Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR) said it had already prepared Rp 6 billion for the repair project this year.
Head of Blitar PUPR Agus Zaenal explained that the road repair plan had entered development planning since last year.
In 2026, the local government officially allocated the budget for road construction using concrete pavement.
He said many residents misunderstood the project. Some believed repairs would only cover the eastern part of Karangrejo.
As a result, people living in western Karangrejo felt ignored and expressed disappointment through the banana tree protest.
“The repair was already planned, but there was miscommunication in the community,” Agus said.
“Residents thought construction would only happen in the eastern area, so people in western Karangrejo felt ignored,” he added.
The agency chose concrete pavement because the road serves as an access route for mining trucks and other heavy vehicles.
Officials said the road must support very high loads every day. Because of that, it needs a stronger structure than standard asphalt roads.
Currently, the project is still in the administrative stage. Officials are reviewing the budget because material prices have changed.
Agus said the process should enter the tender stage in early May through the regional procurement office.
He also stressed that the government started repairing sections of Karangrejo road last year.
However, the work must continue step by step because the available budget remains limited.
This year, the government plans to rebuild around 1.96 kilometers of road connecting Karangrejo Village and Sumberagung Village.
The road links Garum District and Gandusari District. It is one of the main access routes for residents and transport vehicles.
“Our hope is that people understand the ongoing process so the repair can be completed soon,” he said.
“We are trying to make Karangrejo road smooth and safe this year,” Agus added.
Meanwhile, residents carried out the banana tree protest along a 550-meter section of the damaged road.
The protest area stretched from the front of SMPN 2 Garum to the Karangrejo Village Office.
The road is filled with potholes and thick dust. Residents said it disrupts daily activities and creates risks for drivers.
They started planting the banana trees on Thursday night, April 23, after repeated complaints brought no real action.
Locals said the road became worse because of overloaded trucks carrying construction and mining materials.
“We have reported this many times, but there has been no real repair until now,” said Suprap, a local neighborhood chief.
According to him, the road has remained damaged for years. Residents also deal with noise and dust entering their homes.
People in the area estimate that more than 500 heavy vehicles pass through the road every day.
Many residents believe those trucks exceed legal weight limits. They say this has accelerated the road damage.
After discussions with residents, village officials, district officers, PUPR staff, and security personnel, locals agreed to remove the banana trees.
The decision came after the government promised that road repairs would begin in June this year.
Residents also asked officials to limit heavy truck operations during school hours, especially from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Although the protest has ended, residents now expect the government to turn that promise into real action.