BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – The Bali Beach Conservation Project (BBCP) Phase II along Kuta Beach, Legian, and Seminyak continues to show significant progress, with construction advancing well beyond initial targets as of mid-January.
Data from the Bali–Penida River Basin Agency (BWS Bali–Penida) shows that as of January 13, overall project progress had reached around 33 percent, far exceeding the initial target of 10 percent. This represents a positive deviation of approximately 23 percent from the original schedule.
Current work is focused on completing breakwaters 1 and 5, while installation of sand-filling pipelines is underway at Sekeh Beach. If weather and sea conditions remain favorable, sand nourishment at Sekeh Beach is scheduled to begin on January 25.
Commitment Making Officer (PPK) for Coastal and River Works I at BWS Bali–Penida, Bambang Kardono, said total physical progress is now at roughly 30 percent. Breakwaters 2, 3, and 4 have been completed, while breakwaters 1 and 5 in Zone II have reached about 80 percent completion.
“We are prioritizing work on breakwaters 1 and 5 while sea conditions are supportive and tides are low. Previously, work had to pause due to high tides,” Bambang said on Tuesday (January 13).
He acknowledged that tidal conditions and heavy rainfall have been among the main challenges on site. High waves and rising sea levels had temporarily halted construction for about seven days earlier this month, although work resumed once conditions improved.
Strong wave activity has been present since late December, coinciding with the rainy season, while drifting marine debris has also begun to reach the shoreline, though it has not significantly disrupted operations.
With favorable weather and low tides currently supporting fieldwork, contractors are accelerating efforts to complete the remaining breakwaters within January. This is intended to ensure that the sand nourishment process can proceed as planned later this month.
In parallel with breakwater construction, pipeline installation is being carried out for sand filling at Sekeh and Jerman beaches in Zone I. Around 180,000 cubic meters of sand are planned to be added, including stockpiled material. Sand filling will be conducted in stages, starting from the southern section of Zone I and moving northward.
A large Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) has already arrived and is docked at Benoa Port, ready to operate once pipeline installation is completed. Additional support vessels, including tugboats, will be deployed as needed to connect offshore pipelines to the dredger.
“Sand filling will be carried out from offshore through pipelines extending about 700 meters from the coastline, adjusted to sea depth. From that point, sand will be pumped directly to shore,” Bambang explained.
He added that two dredging vessels had actually arrived in Bali earlier but experienced delays during the voyage from Lamongan due to unfavorable weather conditions at sea.
Beyond current works, proposals from local communities regarding additional coastal protection measures, including revetments and possible breakwater extensions, are still under review. Requests for revetment construction, particularly from Setra Asem Celagi Gendong to the area in front of the tsunami shelter, have been submitted to consultants from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for assessment.
However, authorities emphasized that any additional structures must be carefully studied to avoid altering the natural character of Kuta Beach, which is also a major surfing destination. The main objective of the project remains reducing coastal erosion and restoring the shoreline as naturally as possible.