Extension of KRL to Cikampek Requires Double-Double Track

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - An academic from the Civil Engineering Programme at Unika Soegijapranata and advisor to the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) Djoko Setijowarno has highlighted budget limitations as the main obstacle in developing rail infrastructure, including the Jakarta-Cikarang double-double track (DDT) project.

This comes in the wake of the tragedy involving a collision between a Long-Distance Train (KAJJ) and an Electric Rail Train (KRL) at Bekasi Timur Station on Monday night (27/04/2026).

“The obstacle is money; there’s no budget,” Djoko told Kompas.com on Wednesday (29/04/2026).

He explained that the construction of the DDT in the Jabodetabek area has so far only reached Bekasi and has not been extended to further areas such as Cikarang to Cikampek, which is a busy route.

According to him, separating the tracks through DDT is important to reduce congestion and improve train travel safety. Moreover, there are plans to extend the KRL line to Cikampek.

“That’s why a separate line needs to be built all the way to Cikampek before the KRL can reach there. If not, it will be disastrous,” he said.

Spatial planning along the rail lines is also a concern.

“Spatial planning along the railway lines must be strengthened,” said Djoko.

Djoko revealed that uncontrolled community activities, unofficial access, and weak enforcement of spatial planning can become serious sources of disruption to train operations.

Previously, a collision occurred between the Cikarang-bound KRL number PLB 5568A and the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek train from Gambir to Surabaya Pasar Turi around 20:52 WIB on Monday night. The incident site was on the platform at Bekasi Timur Station KM 28+920.

As a result of the incident, 16 KRL passengers were killed, based on the latest data reported on Wednesday afternoon (29/04/2026).

The victims are currently receiving treatment at several healthcare facilities, including RSUD Bekasi, RS Bella Bekasi, RS Primaya, RS Mitra Plumbon Cibitung, RS Bakti Kartini, RS Siloam Bekasi Timur, RS Hermina, as well as RS Mitra Keluarga Bekasi Timur and Barat.

Meanwhile, 240 passengers from the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek were reported safe.