Andre Rosiade: Railway Reactivation to Begin on 27 October as Prabowo Pledges to Develop West Sumatra
Railway reactivation in West Sumatra is scheduled to begin on 27 October 2026. Andre Rosiade, deputy chairman of Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR), said the project forms part of plans to develop infrastructure in the province.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at Kayu Tanam railway station in Padang Pariaman regency on 27 October 2026. Officials expected to attend include Dony Oskaria, head of the State-Owned Enterprises Agency (BP BUMN); Bobby Rasyidin, president director of state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI); Allan Tandiono, director general of railways at the Ministry of Transportation; and Koentjoro, president director of Hutama Karya.
Andre said the railway reactivation reflected President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to promoting development in West Sumatra. The project is expected to strengthen connectivity between regions and support the local economy.
“This is part of Mr Prabowo’s commitment to continue developing West Sumatra. We want the province’s infrastructure to improve, connectivity between regions to grow stronger, and development to deliver tangible benefits to the public,” Andre said in a statement on Saturday (24 October 2026).
According to KAI’s strategic railway study for West Sumatra, the first phase of reactivation covers the approximately 15.3-kilometre Kayu Tanam–Padang Panjang line.
The study also maps proposed development of the Padang Panjang–Singkarak and Solok–Sawahlunto lines, with a combined length of about 66.4 kilometres. This brings the total planned reactivation to around 81.7 kilometres, excluding the 13.76-kilometre Singkarak–Solok section, which the document says has already been reactivated.
Andre said the figures showed the substantial potential for restoring the railway network in West Sumatra. However, work on each section would proceed in accordance with official government and stakeholder decisions and established stages.
The Gerindra faction’s deputy chairman said restoring the railway was not merely about reopening old lines, but also about giving the public more transport options. Rail transport is also expected to strengthen links between regions and support the economy and tourism.
Andre added that other infrastructure projects being prioritised in West Sumatra include construction of the Sitinjau Lauik flyover, toll-road development and a proposed Bukittinggi ring road.
The central government is also promoting the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas in West Sumatra affected by disasters. Andre said infrastructure development should go hand in hand with post-disaster recovery so that residents’ activities can return to normal and the regional economy can grow stronger.
He said central government support was crucial to accelerating regional development. Coordination between ministries, state-owned enterprises, local governments and other stakeholders would be needed to ensure the strategic projects were delivered successfully.
“This is Mr Prabowo’s commitment to developing West Sumatra. Let us hope together that all these development plans proceed smoothly and bring the greatest possible benefit to the people of Ranah Minang,” said Andre, chairman of the central board of the Minang Family Association (IKM).
The groundbreaking is expected to mark the first step in restoring West Sumatra’s railway network. Andre said the project could become an important milestone in strengthening connectivity and promoting economic growth.