TRENGGALEK – Bagong Dam road damage has pushed residents in Bendungan district to demand permanent repairs, as road conditions continue to deteriorate under heavy construction traffic. The issue came to a head during a public hearing at the Trenggalek Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on Monday (May 4).

Residents from Ngares village and nearby areas reported worsening damage along key routes. Heavy trucks linked to the dam project pass through the area daily and accelerate road deterioration. Temporary patchwork repairs fail to hold under constant pressure.

Earlier, residents submitted complaints through subdistrict officials. They also sought direct dialogue with project contractors. However, those efforts did not lead to a solution, prompting them to escalate the issue to the DPRD.

“We only ask for one thing: fix the road now with a permanent solution,” said Widjiono, a community representative.

He warned that waiting until the dam project ends in 2029 will only worsen the damage. In the meantime, daily transport and local mobility continue to suffer.

Residents do not seek to upgrade the road into a national route. Instead, they want the government to apply stronger construction standards so the road can withstand heavy vehicles.

“We do not ask for a status upgrade. We want better specifications, similar to national roads,” Widjiono added.

Meanwhile, DPRD Speaker Doding Rahmadi acknowledged the recurring damage. He said previous repairs relied on short-term fixes that could not withstand heavy loads.

“Repairs have taken place, but heavy vehicles keep damaging the road. We need a more durable approach,” he said.

During the hearing, all parties agreed on a concrete step forward. Contractors involved in the Bagong Dam project will take responsibility for permanent repairs through a corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme. Four contractors will share the responsibility for rebuilding the affected road sections.

“The contractors will carry out permanent repairs through CSR. We reached this agreement together during the hearing,” Doding said.

With the agreement in place, residents now expect swift implementation. They hope the permanent repairs will restore road quality, reduce safety risks, and support smoother transportation throughout the remaining years of the dam project.