Former KAI Commissioner Highlights DJKA Governance to Prevent Train Accidents

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Commissioner of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI, Riza Primadi, has highlighted the need for improvements in governance at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) as key to preventing the recurrence of train accidents.

“So far, almost all projects at DJKA have not been in line with KAI’s needs,” said Riza when contacted in Jakarta on Monday.

Riza assessed that there are still issues with coordination and planning that are not aligned between DJKA and KAI.

He also warned that if there is no change in governance, the risk of accidents will remain.

“I cannot predict it, but it will definitely happen again if DJKA continues to behave as it does now,” he stated.

Riza emphasised the importance of synergy between the regulator and the operator so that policies taken truly address field needs and improve rail transport safety.

He also questioned the slow progress on the “Double Double Track” (DDT) project in the Manggarai–Cikarang segment.

“The land has already been acquired by KAI, but the execution is at a standstill,” said Riza.

He urged the relevant parties, particularly the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA), to explain the reasons for the delay. “Please ask DJKA,” he said.

According to Riza, the delay in the DDT project directly impacts rail travel safety, as lines that should be separated are still shared by KRL and long-distance trains.

Meanwhile, transportation observer Darmaningtyas revealed that the DDT project has long been in planning but has faced various obstacles in implementation.

He explained that one of the main hurdles in building the DDT is land acquisition, which has encountered funding constraints.

“At that time, there was indeed no clarity on how to proceed due to land acquisition issues,” he said.

Previously, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) along with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has accelerated the regulation of at-grade crossings at all points to improve rail travel safety.

Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the step follows President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions to regulate at-grade crossings following the incident of the Kereta Api (KA) Argo Bromo Anggrek colliding with an electric rail train (KRL) in East Bekasi.