Indonesia Takes Action: 172 Illegal Rail Crossings Shut Down

Post by : Shakul

In a decisive effort to enhance railway safety, the Indonesian government has enacted the closure of 172 unauthorized rail crossings nationwide. This crucial initiative comes in response to a troubling increase in accidents observed over the past few years, aiming to safeguard both vehicles and train operations amidst growing safety concerns.

Data from the Ministry of Transportation reveals that Indonesia has witnessed over 1,000 accidents at railway crossings within a span of three years. Most incidents are attributed to unauthorized crossings, where safety measures and monitoring systems have been either inadequate or lacking altogether.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi made the announcement following a hearing in Jakarta, underscoring the focus on cooperative efforts with PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the state-run railway entity, to implement these closures.

The selected crossings for closure are regarded as particularly hazardous for both train passage and road traffic. Authorities anticipate that shutting them down will drastically lower the risk of fatal accidents involving trains, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

In addition to these closures, the Ministry of Transportation has revealed plans for enhanced safety measures at railway crossings across Indonesia. This includes deploying crossing guards, building guard posts, and improving communication and warning systems to boost public safety.

The Indonesian government has allocated nearly 800 billion rupiah (approximately 44 million USD) to expedite the installation of essential railway safety infrastructure. This funding is critical for modernization and enhancing monitoring systems at railway crossings recognized as high-risk.

Statistics indicate that motorcycles are involved in nearly 55% of all railway crossing incidents in Indonesia. Officials have expressed concerns that many drivers disregard warning signals and attempt illegal crossings, heightening the risk of severe accidents.

Experts in transportation view these closures as part of Indonesia's broader commitment to modernize its transport framework and enforce stronger public safety protocols. Authorities are encouraging citizens to utilize only authorized railway crossings and adhere strictly to safety guidelines to reduce future incidents.

May 23, 2026 4:52 p.m. 116

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