Background
Banyumas Regency is a region rich in natural resource potential, both in mining and agriculture. Mineral resources such as andesite, kaolin, and limestone are found in various locations, offering significant opportunities for the development of building materials and ceramics industries. At the same time, Banyumas also provides agricultural resources as a considerable strength, with its key commodities involving coconut, rubber, and raw materials for cement from the actively cultivated hilly areas. However, this economic potential has not received any improvement yet due to limited connectivity infrastructure, specifically, the lack of an efficient inter-regional transportation network.
To address this challenge, the government has designated the construction of the Pejagan-Cilacap Toll Road as a part of the National Strategic Projects (PSN), as outlined in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 109 of 2020, which amends Perpres No. 3 of 2016 on the Acceleration of PSN Implementation. This project has been reaffirmed under President Prabowo's administration as a level-3 PSN and forms a critical component of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing's (PUPR) General Plan for the Toll Road Network for the 2025-2029 period. The toll road is seen as a key infrastructure which is expected to open investment access to inland areas such as Wangon and Lumbir and to create a pathway for goods to and from Banyumas' production centers.
However, it is important to note that the construction of the toll road is not solely about improving connectivity. Putting aside the sake of continuous flow of delivering goods, the existence of a toll road means that it will involve any citizens whose house is near this area. Thus, there are various social and ethical aspects that must be included in the consideration to be able to reach the goal and not put anyone in a disadvantageous position at the same time. At the end, the planning and execution is supposed to include multi-perspective consideration from the environmental aspect until the social one in order to ensure the benefits are received equally for everyone.
Expected Economic Benefits
The construction of the Pejagan--Cilacap Toll Road is expected to serve as an engine for driving economic growth in Banyumas. With improved inter-regional accessibility, the distribution of goods and services will become more efficient, reducing travel time and logistics costs---two major obstacles that have long hindered regional economic development. Industrial areas such as Wangon and Lumbir, previously overlooked due to limited access, are believed could draw interests from many investors in the future. Consequently, this event is expected to boost the region's overall economic competitiveness while generating new jobs as a social benefit for local communities in those areas. On the other hand, when industrial and commercial activities expand, regional revenue through taxes and service charges might arise significantly. Therefore, property values and the retail sector around the toll route are predicted to surge, creating new economic opportunities for local residents, particularly within the informal economy and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Social Realities: What's Happening on the Ground?
Behind its promising economic potential, the toll road project also presents a range of complex social challenges in reality. One of the primary obstacles is the land acquisition process, which causes a dilemma in prioritizing state needs or the rights of residents---especially in negotiations over fair compensation and budget reallocations. Moreover, it is undeniable that the transformation of the landscape also has tangible effects on livelihoods, such as how many farmers have been forced to leave their productive lands and shift to industrial or service sectors in which they may lack experience or skills. Besides its effect on job availability, large-scale infrastructure development contributes to land-use changes and pollution risks and promotes environmental degradation.
The responses from the local community range from how some welcome the development with optimism while others fear marginalization due to the possibility that this plan provides new jobs with the required skills that are outside of their capability. Unless they receive proper training for needed skills, the citizens might end up losing their jobs which contradicts the aim of this plan. The project also deepens the anxieties of the lack of public involvement in the planning process. This signals that the success of the project should not be measured solely by its physical infrastructure, but also by its commitment to inclusive human development.
Moral Issues & Dilemmas: Between Progress and Social Justice
Behind the grand ambitions of toll road construction and industrial zone development in Banyumas lie four pressing moral dilemmas that demand serious attention. The first is the conflict between development and environmental sustainability. The expansion of industrial areas often requires large-scale land conversion, including rice fields and forested areas. This results in damaging biodiversity, disrupting water cycles, and threatening the sustainability of natural resources, which local communities depend on. Such possible threats should create an understanding that while investments may offer short-term gains, long-term environmental degradation could be an irreparable cost.
The second dilemma concerns the welfare of local communities versus the interests of investors. Although such projects promise job creation and improved living standards, in practice, local workers are often excluded due to a lack of technical skills. Soaring land prices driven by speculation also risk displacing lower-income residents from their neighborhoods. Without affirmative regulations, development may widen inequalities and force communities out of their living spaces.
The third issue is the lack of transparency and public participation. Major projects are frequently carried out without adequately involving all communities, especially the affected ones. This leads to distrust, rejection, and even social conflict. It needs to be highlighted that public participation is not merely a democratic ideal; it is a prerequisite for the social legitimacy of any development project to be successful.
Lastly, the dilemma between land eviction and infrastructure development also requires strict monitoring. Toll road routes that cut through residential and agricultural lands do not only threaten the environment but also the historical and emotional significance of land for local communities. Without fair compensation and proper relocation processes, development can infringe on basic human rights and inflict long-lasting social trauma. In Banyumas, there are growing concerns that the toll road project could marginalize vulnerable populations without sufficient protection.
