Tourists exploring Bali’s most popular beaches are being warned to watch their step.
The warnings follow a tourist’s injury on Wednesday, 3rd September, when he broke his ankle while jogging along the pavement at Kuta Beach.
The Manager of Kuta Beach, Nyoman Arya Arimbawa, confirmed the situation to reporters. He shared, “Yes, correct, a report from a trader who saw the incident near Popies II, at approximately 4.30 pm. For information, the tourist who had rheumatoid arthritis was jogging with his partner.”
Footage circulating online shows the tourists sitting on the sand, looking remarkably calm with a visibly broken angle, receiving assistance from passersby. Kuta Beach lifeguards, known as Balawista, assisted in the situation. Arimbawa told reporters, “Earlier, we had coordinated with Balawista, because there was a standby ambulance vehicle there. He has been delivered to the nearest hospital.”
When asked whether the incident would trigger a practical response from the local authorities to fix the broken pavement, Arimbawa shared, “The damage has been done for a long time, but it has not been repaired by the Badung Regional Government PUPR Service. Indeed. It was damaged before, but it had been repaired, but it was hit by the tide until it broke, if I’m not mistaken.”
The incident comes just weeks after the Regent of Badung confirmed his plans to make the whole Badung Regency coastline safer and more enjoyable for tourists and locals to walk along. The Badung Regency coast includes top destinations such as Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Canggu.
Back in July, Regent Wayan Adi Arnawa told reporters during a visit to Canggu’s Pererenan Beach that more would be done to improve pedestrian access in the area. He shared, “The arrangement of this coastal area is important for the comfort of all. Not only tourists but also local people who use the beach for spiritual and cultural activities.”
Regent Arnawa added, “The beaches of Badung are not only a tourist attraction but also have high spiritual and cultural value for the community, especially as a place to carry out religious ceremonies such as melasti and a series of other yadnya facilities.”
Work has started, though within the Kuta resort area, not on the beachfront. This week’s work has been completed on the Kuta Beach Road around Bemo Corner through to Kuta Gate.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Highways Division of the Badung Public Works and Public Housing Agency, I Gusti Ngurah Made Suardika, explained that the repairs were carried out because of damage recorded at many points on the sidewalk.
The total length of the repaired road reached 1,250 meters, with 625 meters on the north side and 625 meters on the south side. He shared, “The material used on the sidewalk is andesite because it takes into account many things, such as better strength, with a thickness of 3 cm, a more natural appearance of the sidewalk, and conditions that will be similar to those on the west side of Jalan Pantai Kuta.”
He confirmed that the choice of andesite stone was not without reason. This material is more durable, less slippery in the rain, and much safer for pedestrians. “If ceramic were used, the fragments would be sharp and could injure tourists while walking.”
The Secretary of the Kuta Sub-district, Made Agus Suantara, told reporters, “We hope that replacing it with andesite will last longer and be more slippery.”
“This aligns with the Regent’s vision and mission: to ensure good infrastructure for a tourism destination.”
Tourists traveling throughout Bali must be extremely cautious when exploring on foot. Tourists must always be aware that many sidewalks and pavements in Bali are damaged, broken, or at risk of collapse. This is especially true along beach walk areas and throughout Ubud.
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