KAI Daop 7 Permanently Closes Illegal Level Crossing in Kediri

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Operational Area (Daop) 7 Madiun, East Java, has permanently closed an unregistered level crossing, commonly known as an illegal crossing, in the Kediri Regency area. Daop 7 Madiun Public Relations Manager Tohari stated that the closure was carried out as an effort to prevent accidents and improve the safety of train journeys. “Safety is KAI’s top priority. Closing illegal crossings is a concrete step to prevent accidents, maintain track sterilisation, and ensure train journeys are safe, smooth, and on time,” he said in a statement in Kediri on Wednesday. He added that the closure was conducted after an incident a few days prior involving the KA 406 Dhoho Commuter Line, which struck a motorcycle at KM 172+5 on the Kras-Ngadiluwih segment in Kediri Regency. The closure was executed by the Security Unit and the Track Unit of JR 7.13 Kediri by staking out the railway right-of-way with rails and installing covers made from iron sleepers, making the access impassable for vehicles. The activity received support from the Class I Railway Engineering Centre Surabaya Kediri Unit, the Kediri Regency Transportation Agency, the Kras Military District Command, the Kras Police Sector, and the Jambean Village Government. KAI Daop 7 Madiun also reminded the public not to reopen closed crossings or create new illegal access points, as this endangers train travel and road users and violates legal regulations. Road users are urged to exercise discipline when crossing official level crossings by stopping, looking right and left, and ensuring no train is approaching before proceeding. The public is also reminded to prioritise train travel, as crossing gates are merely an auxiliary safety tool, not the primary safety measure.