Indonesia Closes 172 Unauthorized Rail Crossings

Post by : Shakul

In a significant move toward enhancing railway safety, the Indonesian government has closed 172 unauthorized railway crossings throughout the nation, responding to a worrying increase in accidents marked by over 1,000 incidents in just three years. This initiative aims to bolster the safety of road users while safeguarding railway operations amidst escalating safety concerns.

As reported by the Ministry of Transportation, the spike in railway crossing accidents is alarming, with the majority occurring at these unauthorized locations where safety measures are notably lacking or entirely non-existent.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi made the announcement regarding these closures following discussions in Jakarta. He highlighted that this operation is executed in partnership with PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the national railway operator.

The crossings targeted for shutdown have been assessed as severely hazardous for both train operations and vehicular traffic. The government anticipates that this decisive action will markedly decrease the chances of fatal collisions involving trains, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

In addition, the Ministry of Transportation has unveiled further safety enhancement measures at railway crossings nationwide. These initiatives encompass the deployment of crossing guards, the erection of guard posts, the installation of communication systems, and the expansion of warning infrastructure to elevate public safety standards.

A substantial budget of nearly 800 billion rupiah, equivalent to about 44 million US dollars, has been allocated to expedite the installation of safety infrastructure in railway sectors across Indonesia, aiming to modernize and improve monitoring systems in high-risk areas.

Government statistics reveal that motorcycles are involved in almost 55 percent of all railway crossing incidents throughout Indonesia. Officials have cautioned that drivers frequently disregard warning signals and illegally attempt to cross railway tracks, heightening the risk of deadly accidents.

Transport experts view these closures as a reflection of Indonesia's growing commitment to modernizing its transport infrastructure and elevating public safety regulations. Authorities have reiterated the importance of utilizing only authorized railway crossings and adhering strictly to safety laws to avoid further tragedies.

#World News #Asia News #Transport #Safety