Personnel from Aceh police’s paramilitary Brimob unit, local police, Indonesian troops and residents constructed the bridge in Gosong Telaga Barat Village, North Singkil Subdistrict, Aceh Singkil District.
Aceh Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Joko Krisdiyanto said the bridge was erected as a rapid response to damaged infrastructure to ensure transport links and daily activities could resume for affected residents.
He said the project aimed to restore mobility and revive local economic activity while demonstrating the state’s presence through cooperation between police, the military and local communities during emergencies.
The construction involved multiple agencies and active participation from villagers, reflecting joint efforts to reopen access routes severed by floods and landslides, Joko said.
He described the collaboration as an example of “gotong royong”, or mutual assistance, and solidarity between security forces and civilians, especially in areas suffering severe infrastructure shortages.
Aceh police praised residents for volunteering labour and said authorities would remain actively involved in humanitarian efforts to speed up recovery through coordination with all stakeholders.
The emergency bridge project comes as President Prabowo Subianto ordered Bailey bridges to be completed within a week to reconnect roads to villages isolated by disasters in Aceh.
Speaking at a disaster response post on Sunday, December 7, Prabowo said bridge construction by the public works ministry, supported by the military, was progressing well and expected to become operational soon.
He said restoring access was essential so additional bridges could be opened and aid delivery expanded to remote communities affected by flooding and landslides.
The public works ministry has made its utmost efforts to accelerate Bailey bridge installations at several locations, including Teupin Mane, Alue Kulus, Enang-enang, Weihni Rongka and Timang Gajah.
Prabowo said Bailey bridges were a top priority for reopening access to isolated areas across Sumatra, particularly in Aceh, to ensure humanitarian assistance reached those in need.
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Translator: M.Haris SA, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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