TULUNGAGUNG – Tulungagung road projects have reached only around 10 percent completion by the end of May 2026, raising concerns over delays in the region’s infrastructure program. Residents have started questioning the local government’s ability to complete major road repairs on time this year.
The slow progress became public after Acting Tulungagung Regent Ahmad Baharudin inspected a road construction project connecting Wates and Mirigambar villages in Sumbergempol District on Monday.
During the visit, Baharudin admitted that administrative changes inside the local government had delayed several infrastructure projects. The disruption followed a legal case involving the previous regent, which forced officials to replace budget authorities and financial administrators.
“Actually, the projects did not stop completely. We were still finishing administrative processes because there was a transfer of authority to new budget officials,” Baharudin said.
His statement responded to growing public complaints about slow road construction in several areas across Tulungagung. Besides the Wates–Mirigambar route, the government is also working on roads connecting Besuki and Gambiran districts as well as the Betak–Joho section.
The Wates–Mirigambar project covers around 3.2 kilometers with a road width between 4.4 and 4.5 meters. However, overall progress across Tulungagung remains far below this year’s target of 100 kilometers of road improvements.
The delays have fueled concerns about the readiness of the local bureaucracy to handle large infrastructure programs. Many residents believe administrative transitions should not interfere with public services, especially road repairs that directly affect transportation and economic activity.
Several damaged roads remain a major complaint among residents and drivers. Poor road conditions continue to affect daily mobility, particularly on routes connecting districts and rural areas.
Observers also warn that low project realization near the middle of the fiscal year could create a buildup of unfinished work toward the end of 2026. If contractors rush projects later in the year, road quality could suffer.
Despite the criticism, Baharudin insisted that the government would continue all planned projects this year. He also asked residents to remain patient while work continues in stages.
“We ask the public to stay patient according to the queue. God willing, we will continue carrying out road improvements,” he said.
For now, residents across Tulungagung continue waiting for faster progress as damaged roads remain a major public concern.