Post by : Shakul

The Indonesian government has launched a major railway safety initiative by shutting down 172 illegal railway crossings across the country following a sharp rise in accidents over recent years. Officials say the move is aimed at protecting both road users and railway operations as safety concerns continue to grow nationwide.

According to the Ministry of Transportation, more than 1,000 railway crossing accidents have been recorded in Indonesia during the last three years. Authorities revealed that most of these incidents occurred at unauthorised crossings where safety systems and monitoring facilities were either weak or completely absent.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced the closures after a parliamentary hearing in Jakarta. He explained that the operation is being carried out in cooperation with PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the country’s state-owned railway operator.

Officials stated that the crossings identified for closure were considered highly dangerous for both train traffic and road vehicles. The government believes the action will significantly reduce the risk of fatal collisions involving trains, motorcycles and other vehicles.

The Ministry of Transportation also announced additional safety improvements at railway crossings nationwide. These measures include deploying crossing guards, constructing guard posts, installing communication systems and expanding railway warning infrastructure to improve public safety.

Indonesia has allocated nearly 800 billion rupiah, equivalent to around 44 million US dollars, to accelerate the installation of railway safety infrastructure across the country. Authorities said the funding will support modernization efforts and improve monitoring systems at high-risk railway areas.

Government data showed that motorcycles account for nearly 55 percent of all railway crossing accidents in Indonesia. Officials warned that many drivers continue to ignore warning signals and attempt to cross tracks illegally, increasing the danger of deadly crashes.

Transport experts say the closures reflect growing efforts by Indonesia to modernize its transportation network and strengthen public safety standards. Authorities have urged citizens to use only authorized railway crossings and follow safety regulations strictly to prevent future tragedies.

#Asia News #Transport #Safety #World News