KAI Daop 8 Confirms Railway Line in Sidoarjo's Lapindo Mud Area Is Safe

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Operational Area (Daop) 8 Surabaya has confirmed that the railway line located in the Lapindo mud embankment area, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, is safe for passage. “All train journeys crossing the line continue to operate normally, prioritising safety, security, and customer service,” said KAI Daop 8 Surabaya Public Relations Manager, Mahendro Trang Bawono, in Surabaya on Friday (10/7). According to him, PT KAI conducted a direct inspection of the railway infrastructure following information regarding work activities in the Lapindo mud embankment area. “The results of the on-site inspection by officers show that the condition of the rail track, track construction, and other supporting infrastructure remains safe and unaffected. All train journeys continue to run normally according to the operational schedule,” Mahendro stated. Mahendro explained that the situation in the Lapindo mud embankment area was part of embankment reinforcement work being carried out by PPLS on Friday (10/7). During the process, heavy equipment dredged mud material to be placed on top of the embankment as a heightening measure. He clarified that while some mud material spilled over from the top of the embankment during the process, it did not affect the railway line. “We ensure that the activity has no impact on railway operations. The rail track is in a safe condition for passage, so the public need not worry about the safety of train journeys crossing the area,” Mahendro added. Furthermore, he said KAI Daop 8 continues to coordinate with relevant parties to obtain the latest information regarding the implementation of work in the Lapindo mud embankment area. This coordination is part of anticipatory measures so that every development on the ground can be monitored optimally without disrupting train journey safety. Every day, approximately 48 train journeys cross the line in the Lapindo mud embankment area, consisting of long-distance trains, local trains, and freight trains. All these journeys continue to operate normally without any speed restrictions, changes in operational patterns, or schedule adjustments due to work activities around the embankment.