KAI Prohibits Use of Menteng Railway Underpass Land for Football
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Daop 1 Jakarta has denied permission for vacant land in Menteng, Central Jakarta, to be used as a football arena by local residents, citing concerns over railway operational safety.
KAI Daop 1 Jakarta Public Relations Manager, Franoto Wibowo, explained that football activities and other community gatherings are prohibited within the Right of Way (ROW) or Railway Track Ownership Area. He stated that this area is designated railway infrastructure intended solely for operational purposes, maintenance, and the safety of train journeys.
“Safety is KAI’s top priority. The ROW area is reserved for railway operational interests, including maintenance, inspection, and infrastructure development. Based on safety assessments, activities such as playing football or other community activities in this area pose a very high risk to players, spectators, and train operations. Therefore, we cannot permit its use,” said Franendo on Saturday.
The policy is based on safety assessments showing that using the ROW for sports or public activities carries high risks and could potentially endanger the public and disrupt train schedules. Franoto noted that there is a common misconception among the public that land adjacent to railway tracks serves as open space for various activities, whereas these areas are protected by law.
He explained that the ROW serves as a safety corridor encompassing the railway’s functional space and surrounding areas used to support safe and reliable railway operations. The presence of the public in these areas poses risks such as being struck by trains, tripping or falling onto tracks, being hit by railway components, or distracting operational staff during safety duties. Furthermore, such activities can hinder the inspection, maintenance, and repair of infrastructure by KAI personnel.
Regulations regarding railway areas are stipulated in Law Number 23 of 2007 on Railways, which affirms that the railway functional space is intended for train operations and is a closed area to the general public. This is further reinforced by Government Regulation Number 56 of 2009, which specifies that the railway functional space includes the tracks, the land on both sides, and the space above and below the tracks used for construction and operational facilities. The regulation strictly prohibits any person from entering the railway functional space, except for railway officers with official assignments.
Franoto emphasised that KAI does not oppose public exercise; rather, the company supports the provision of safe and comfortable public spaces. In collaboration with the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transport and the Jakarta Provincial Government, KAI has supported the conversion of spaces under railway flyovers into Integrated Child-Friendly Public Spaces (RPTRA) in several locations, including the corridor from Cikini Station to Jayakarta Station.
“We fully support the community in exercising and engaging in activities in public spaces that have been prepared with safety considerations in mind. What is not permitted is the use of railway ownership areas because these areas are not intended as sports fields or community gathering spots,” he added.
KAI Daop 1 Jakarta has called upon the community, parents, community leaders, schools, sports clubs, and local governments to increase awareness regarding railway safety by avoiding any activities within the railway functional or ownership areas.
This decision follows viral social media footage of a ‘Liga Aspal’ (Asphalt League) involving local youths playing football on the vacant KAI land in Menteng. The matches, organised by local youth groups, were held every weekend on the paved area located near residential areas in Menteng, Central Jakarta.