Indonesia Closes 172 Unauthorised Rail Crossings to Enhance Safety

In response to a growing number of accidents, the Indonesian government has initiated a significant railway safety campaign by closing 172 unauthorized railway crossings across the nation. This action aims to ensure the safety of both drivers and train operations amidst rising safety concerns.

The Ministry of Transportation reported over 1,000 railway crossing accidents registered in Indonesia over the past three years. Most incidents occurred at illegal crossings that lacked adequate safety measures and monitoring systems.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced this decision following discussions at a parliamentary session in Jakarta. The initiative is being executed in partnership with PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the nation's state-owned railway service.

Officials noted that the crossings selected for closure posed significant risks to both railway and vehicular traffic. The government is optimistic that this measure will substantially lower the chances of serious collisions involving trains and road users.

Additionally, the Ministry of Transportation has rolled out plans to enhance safety protocols at railway crossings throughout the nation. Such measures will involve deploying crossing guards, building guard posts, improving communication systems, and enhancing railway warning infrastructures.

To bolster these initiatives, Indonesia has earmarked nearly 800 billion rupiah, approximately 44 million US dollars, for accelerating rail safety infrastructure upgrades across the country. This funding aims to elevate modernization efforts and enhance monitoring in high-risk railway zones.

Recent government data highlights that motorcycles comprise nearly 55 percent of all railway crossing accidents in Indonesia. Authorities cautioned that many motorists frequently disregard warning signals and attempt to cross tracks at illegal points, leading to increased risks of fatal incidents.

Experts in transportation point to these closures as a reflection of Indonesia's commitment to modernizing its transport infrastructure and enhancing public safety standards. Officials are advocating for the public to utilize only designated railway crossings and adhere strictly to safety regulations to avert future incidents.