New Connecting Road Begins Operation, Infrastructure Not Yet Ready

Jejaknesia.com - Since September 6, 2025, exciting news has arrived for residents of Karang Agung Ilir District, Banyuasin Regency. The long-awaited new connecting road has finally begun operating, opening access to Tanjung Siapi-Api and further to Palembang City. However, behind this good news lies a reality that raises eyebrows: the infrastructure conditions are not yet fully ready.

Image: End of Maju Ria Village checkpoint, Primer 11

New Hope from the Edge of the Village

This connecting road is located at the end of Maju Ria Village — precisely in the Primer 11 area of Karang Agung Ilir District, Banyuasin Regency. This is where the journey begins, cutting through the land route for 4 kilometers toward the ferry dock. Unfortunately, the road conditions along this route are still far from proper. Uneven surfaces, puddles, and mud have become daily challenges for users, especially during the rainy season.

Image: condition of the connecting bridge

Image: condition of the road to the speedboat dock

Nevertheless, the enthusiasm of residents to try this new access route has not waned. For many people, this road is a symbol of change—a route that is hoped to cut travel time and open new economic opportunities in coastal areas.

New Route: Traversing Land and Water

This connecting route is quite unique. From the end of Maju Ria Village, riders travel a 4 km land route before reaching the speedboat dock. Using a motorcycle, the travel time from the end of Maju Ria Village to the dock is around 8–10 minutes.

Source: Google Maps

Current dock coordinates: -2.315092, 104.757597

Image: Speedboat dock

Image: Speedboat dock

The journey continues through the waterway toward the Tanjung Siapi-Api Fishermen Post Dock. In a straight line, the distance appears short—only 8 km—but the water route follows the curves of Pulau Tikus, making the trip slightly winding, with a travel time of around 10–15 minutes.

Upon arriving at the Fishermen Post Dock, the land journey resumes toward the PU Bridge, which is about 28.6 km away. When traveling by motorcycle, the travel time from the dock to the bridge is estimated to be around 33 minutes. This combination of land and water routes offers both an exciting and challenging experience for new travelers.

Image: Tanjung Siapi-Api Fishermen Post Dock

Coordinates of the Fishermen Post Dock: -2.362033, 104.819407

Crossing Fares and Local Operators

With this route now operating, local operators have begun setting crossing fees. Based on observations on October 7, 2025, the fare for one motorcycle is IDR 100,000, while passengers are charged IDR 30,000 per person. However, these prices are still dynamic and may change at any time depending on the operators’ policies.

Some of the speedboat operators currently running this crossing route include:

• Mr. H. Sukri
• Mr. Landi
• Mr. Eeng
• Mr. Icung

Their presence serves as the backbone of connectivity between the mainland of Karang Agung Ilir and the coastal area of Tanjung Siapi-Api. In their hands, the community’s hope for faster mobility is gradually being realized, despite the existing infrastructural limitations.

Infrastructure Not Yet Ready: Between Hope and Reality

For some residents, the condition of the land road leading to the pier remains a major complaint. Uneven surfaces, puddles of water, and mud have become daily challenges for users, especially during the rainy season. In several spots, riders even have to stop and push their motorcycles.

Source: Google Maps

Although the land distance is only 4 km, the route is not directly connected to the sea. Therefore, the pier was built inland rather than on the open sea or riverbank. As a result, the entry and exit activities of speed boats are highly dependent on water levels.

When the tide is low, speed boats cannot enter or leave the pier. From the pier to the main river, there is a small river about 640 meters long that is heavily affected by the tides. Usually, the water starts to rise between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM (WIB). During these hours, crossing activities can begin optimally.

For people in a hurry, this becomes a serious obstacle. They must wait for the tide to rise so that speed boats can operate. In extreme conditions, crossings are sometimes delayed until late afternoon.

Image: Speed boat pier during low tide

However, on the other hand, residents remain grateful because this route opens new economic access. Many villagers who previously had to travel long routes by land to Palembang can now shorten their travel time using this land-water combination.

Economic Potential and Connectivity

The opening of this connecting road actually marks an important momentum for local economic growth. With Karang Agung Ilir now connected to the coastal area of Tanjung Siapi-Api, the distribution of agricultural and fishery products could become more efficient. This route also opens opportunities for local water tourism that could attract visitors from Palembang or nearby regions.

Even so, without adequate infrastructure improvements, this great potential could be hindered. The poor road condition and unorganized pier access could disrupt logistics flow and reduce travel comfort.

Voices of Residents and On-Ground Challenges

Local residents stated that road improvement is a top priority they hope for. “If the road is good, people will surely pass through here,” said one passing motorist. Many users hope that the local government and related parties will step in to fix the infrastructure before the rainy season arrives.

In addition, the management of crossing fees has also become a concern. With a fare of Rp100,000 per motorcycle, some residents consider this cost still quite high for small communities who rely on this route for daily activities.

As an observer, I see that the opening of this connecting road is a strategic move worthy of appreciation. This route is not only about mobility but also about opening a new chapter for local economic growth and interregional connectivity in Banyuasin.

However, this step still requires a more structured approach. The local government needs to ensure that infrastructure development does not stop at the road-opening stage. Periodic evaluations are needed regarding the road condition, pier quality, and fare monitoring mechanisms to ensure affordability for the public.

If managed properly, this route could become a successful hybrid land-water connectivity model in South Sumatra. But if left as it is, the risk of decline and public complaints could increase over time.

The opening of a new road is always a story about hope, struggle, and adaptation. The people of Karang Agung Ilir are now living that chapter. Behind the muddy roads and dynamic crossing fares lies a strong spirit to move forward — because for them, every meter of newly opened road is an opportunity toward a better future.

References

• Field interview with local operators (Mr. Eeng, Mr. Icunk) - October 6, 2025
• Google Maps data of Karang Agung Ilir District
• Field observations and notes from Maju Ria Village residents - Primer 11