Danantara to Build Emergency Stopping Lane in Tanah Datar
Padang (ANTARA) - Danantara Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dony Oskaria conducted an inspection of railway tracks and road sections in the Panyalaian area, X Koto District, Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, on Thursday, to survey the site for the construction of an emergency stopping lane as part of efforts to curb the rising number of traffic accidents along the Padang-Padang Panjang-Bukittinggi national road.
Dony Oskaria, who also serves as Chairman of the State-Owned Enterprises Regulatory Body (BP BUMN), stated that accident prevention must begin with driver compliance with vehicle safety standards, particularly for heavy vehicles such as lorries.
“We want to minimise these accidents. The local government has already instructed all lorry operators to pay attention to their vehicle roadworthiness requirements. The government requires drivers to check their brakes and other components before driving,” Dony said.
According to him, technical measures on the ground are also necessary as a form of risk mitigation, including the construction of an escape route or emergency stopping lane.
“We will build an escape route. There will be an emergency stopping lane constructed in cooperation with PT Kereta Api Indonesia and the local government,” he said.
Deputy Chairman of House of Representatives Commission VI, Andre Rosiade, said the national works agency is ready to build the emergency rescue facility. However, he requested support from BP BUMN regarding land issues.
“The national works agency will build the emergency escape lane, but we are requesting assistance from BP BUMN because the land is controlled by KAI and will be used as the emergency stopping lane,” Andre said.
He added that the technical details of the construction would be discussed further through cross-institutional meetings. The construction of this lane is considered urgent given the continuously rising accident rate in the area.
The site visit was accompanied by West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Tanah Datar Regent Eka Putra, and officials from other relevant agencies.