Magelang. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo officially inaugurated four road segments in Magelang Regency, Central Java, designated as evacuation routes for the surrounding communities near Mount Merapi.

"The Muntilan, Keningar, Sukomarmur, and Petung Pakis roads are evacuation routes for Merapi and they are now completed," President Jokowi said during his visit in Magelang, as reported by news agency Antara on Monday.

Mount Merapi, located on the border of Yogyakarta and Central Java, emitted hot clouds three times on Sunday, as reported by the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG). There were no casualties.

The government has set aside Rp 14.6 trillion in the national budget for road repairs and construction in 2023. For Central Java Province, a total of Rp 1.36 trillion has been earmarked to repair and build 40 road segments.

The construction and improvement of the four roads in Magelang spanning 18.2 kilometers were carried out by the Public Works and Housing Ministry with a budget of Rp 31.9 billion

"We hope that by building these roads with rigid concrete, it will provide durability because large sand trucks pass through here. We hope this will be more durable (compared to asphalt roads)," Jokowi said.

He also expressed hope that other road segments in Central Java would be smoother and better for travel. To assess this, the President is set to inspect other road segments during his second-day working visit in Central Java on Tuesday.

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