President Joko Widodo’s relentless focus on infrastructure development has taken another monumental step. On Thursday, August 29, 2024, he inaugurated the Leuwikeris Dam in Cineam District, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java. This dam, costing a remarkable IDR 3.5 trillion, stands as the most expensive dam ever inaugurated by the president.
The construction of the Leuwikeris Dam, which began in 2016, has been a massive undertaking. Covering a reservoir area of 243 hectares, the dam boasts a water storage capacity of 81 million cubic meters. During the inauguration, Jokowi highlighted the significant investment, noting that it surpassed the costs of the other 43 dams he had previously inaugurated.
“Of the 44 dams I’ve inaugurated, this one is the most expensive, costing IDR 3.5 trillion. Usually, the cost is around IDR 800 billion to IDR 1.5 trillion,” Jokowi stated at the inauguration, which also marked the modernization and rehabilitation of the Menganti Irrigation Area in Tasikmalaya.
The Leuwikeris Dam is expected to offer substantial benefits, particularly for local farmers. It will provide water for irrigation, contribute to flood control, and generate electricity. The dam’s impact is far-reaching, with the potential to irrigate 11,200 hectares of farmland.
“This dam will irrigate 11,200 hectares, which is a huge benefit for our farmers. With this, I officially inaugurate the Leuwikeris Dam and the modernization and rehabilitation of the Menganti Irrigation Area in Tasikmalaya, West Java,” Jokowi announced with pride.
The president also underscored the dam’s importance in managing water resources, emphasizing that water is essential for life, balance, and harmony. However, he cautioned that mismanagement of water could lead to disasters.
Read also: Mandatory Use of SatuSehat App for International Travelers to Combat Monkeypox
“Without water, there is no life, no food. Therefore, every drop must be managed with great care,” Jokowi added, highlighting the critical role of water management.
In addition to the dam, Jokowi’s working visit to West Java included the inauguration of 16 replacement bridges for the Callender Hamilton bridges, the construction of the Ciloseh Bridge in Tasikmalaya, and the completion of 22 road sections under the Presidential Instruction (Inpres) on Regional Roads.
The 16 replacement bridges in West Java, spanning a total length of 1,030 meters, were completed with an investment of IDR 1.9 trillion. The 22 Inpres road sections, which cover 121 kilometers across 13 cities and regencies, were constructed with a budget of IDR 521 billion. The Ciloseh Bridge in Tasikmalaya alone required an investment of IDR 112 billion.
This series of infrastructure developments underlines the president’s commitment to improving connectivity and supporting the region’s economic growth. The inauguration of the Leuwikeris Dam, in particular, symbolizes the significant progress being made in infrastructure, offering a promising future for the people of West Java and beyond.
