Singaraja street vendors told they can stay during Jalan Tasbih drainage works

In brief: On 6 October 2026, Buleleng's local council said traders along Jalan Tasbih would not have to relocate because of drainage and pavement works; subsequent statements show the limits of that commitment: stalls may still need to shift away from an active work area, even if traders remain in the neighbourhood.

A site visit produced a compromise with traders

The agreement followed complaints from street vendors worried that improvements around Jalan Tasbih in Singaraja could displace their businesses. Commission II of the Buleleng Regional House of Representatives visited the area on 6 October, bringing together public works officials and representatives of the municipally owned market operator, Perumda Pasar Argha Nayottama.

Commission chair Wayan Masdana said the drainage work would be carried out in stages so businesses could continue operating. The traders' coordinator also indicated that vendors would cooperate with the crews, including when machinery was needed. The council undertook to keep discussions going between the affected businesses and local authorities. No stall-by-stall construction schedule accompanied the announcement.

Temporary trading space had been offered

The decision to keep vendors in place came after an alternative had already been considered. On 8 October, the market operator's managing director described temporary pitches prepared around Jalan Angsoka, Jalan Melur and Jalan Seruni. Local reporting put their capacity at about 40 stalls and said water and electricity had been provided.

Vendors declined the move. They continued trading around Jalan Tasbih and adjoining streets while the drainage and sidewalk project went ahead. That history is relevant because the council's statement addressed temporary relocation during construction; it did not settle the long-term layout of individual stalls once the streetscape work is complete.

The 13 October update narrows the promise

On 13 October, Buleleng's public works chief said sellers would have to shift temporarily when crews worked immediately beside their stalls. Local councillors also discussed organising standardised trading spaces after the pavement improvements. Those details qualify the earlier reassurance: remaining in the market area may involve short-distance adjustments as each section is repaired.

The drainage programme covers five streets — Tasbih, Angsana, Anggrek, Kemuning and Wijaya Kusuma — with a reported allocation of Rp1.912 billion. The works include removing accumulated sediment and rubbish, repairing damaged drains and rebuilding sections where needed. The intention is to improve runoff during heavy rain, although the actual reduction in flooding has yet to be demonstrated.

For people shopping or running a business in this part of Singaraja, access during construction is the immediate concern. The available announcements do not set out a reliable timetable for access changes at each frontage. They also should not be confused with the separate drainage project on Jalan Diponegoro, which has different contract arrangements and dates.

• BeritaBali, “Relokasi PKL Jalan Tasbih di Buleleng Batal, Pedagang Pilih Tetap Berjualan” — 8 October 2026.
• Bali Post, “Normalisasi hingga Perbaikan Drainase, Pemkab Buleleng Siapkan Rp1,912 Miliar” — 13 October 2026.
• Fajar Bali, “Sikapi Hasil Kunjungan Lapangan, DPRD Buleleng Gelar RDP” — 13 October 2026.