The Regent of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, and his deputy, Bagus Alit Sucipta, ceremoniously cut the wires of cable television on one of the streets in Canggu. This marked the launch of a large street reconstruction program, during which the clusters of cables hanging over the roads will be moved underground.
The Bali authorities have long been paying attention to the chaotic cables that spoil the appearance of the streets. Talks about the need to remove them began as early as autumn of last year. In January of this year, public utility workers began the job, starting in Denpasar and now reaching Canggu.
The process is not fast, as it requires significant funding, but the issue has been pressing for a long time. The more the island develops and gets built up, the more cables hang over sidewalks and roads. These clusters of wires not only ruin the appearance of the island’s streets but also pose a safety hazard. During bad weather, they often break and fall directly onto the roadway.
Canggu is one of the island’s main tourist areas, which is why it was among the first to be included in the communication infrastructure overhaul. The work will then continue along Sunset Road, past the airport, and all the way to Nusa Dua.
“Although some of the roads selected for reconstruction are national roads, we will coordinate our efforts with the central government so that this plan can be implemented,” added Regent Adi Arnawa.
The operators whose cables are being cut to be moved underground support the initiative. They agree that Bali is a tourist region and it’s important to ensure that visitors feel comfortable on the island.
As Canggu continues to grow, the government plans to invest even more in developing the infrastructure the resort area needs. Over the next three years, Badung authorities will implement large-scale projects aimed at improving the condition of the region. This includes not only the reorganization of cable networks but also the construction of roads intended to reduce traffic congestion.
Sources: NusaBali, badungkab.go.id.
