KAI Sumut Inspects Rantauprapat Baru-Aek Nabara Rail Line to Ensure Reliability

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Regional Division I North Sumatra, together with the Medan Class I Railway Engineering Centre (BTP), conducted a joint inspection of the railway line between Rantauprapat Baru Station and Aek Nabara Station on Saturday (18/7). The 18.5-kilometre stretch is part of the Rantauprapat-Kota Pinang railway construction project undertaken by the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation and is not yet operational. Manager of Public Relations for KAI Divre I North Sumatra, Anwar Yuli Prastyo, explained that the inspection focused on ensuring the reliability of all infrastructure along the line. “This joint inspection was carried out to see first-hand the condition of the infrastructure, from the tracks and bridges to the station facilities on the line. The construction of this line, designated as a Trans-Sumatra National Strategic Project (PSN), began in 2017 and was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020,” Anwar said on Sunday (19/7). Beyond checking technical feasibility, the review also aimed to mitigate security risks and protect railway assets from vandalism by irresponsible individuals. In accordance with Law Number 23 of 2007 concerning Railways, all railway assets—including tracks, stations, and supporting infrastructure—are classified as National Vital Objects due to their function concerning the public interest and strategic importance to the state. “This safeguarding and supervision is intended to ensure that if the line is to be activated and used for railway operations at any time, all aspects will meet the requirements, especially from a travel safety perspective,” Anwar added. The operational readiness of this new line is increasingly necessary given the high passenger growth at Rantauprapat Station, whose tracks are directly connected to the Rantauprapat Baru-Aek Nabara line. Based on first-semester performance data over the past three years, the customer movement graph continues to show a positive trend. The station recorded 204,152 passengers in the first six months of 2024. This figure then surged by 18 percent to 240,408 passengers in the first semester of 2025, and continued to grow consistently by 7 percent in the first semester of 2026, serving a total of 258,416 passengers. Within a span of two years, the number of passengers at Rantauprapat Station, which is served daily by 6 to 8 Sribilah train trips, has increased by 54,000. “This growth data is clear evidence of the high level of trust the people of Labuhanbatu and surrounding areas have in rail transport. The public needs public transportation that is safe, comfortable, and has definite travel schedules,” Anwar stated. KAI Divre I North Sumatra reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding state assets while embracing the significant potential for future mass transportation. “Through this joint inspection, KAI Divre I North Sumatra is fully committed to maintaining and securing all railway assets to keep them in prime condition for the strategic interests of the state. Securing this infrastructure is a crucial foundation, especially considering the significant growth in passenger numbers at Rantauprapat Station year after year. We hope that the readiness of the Rantauprapat Baru to Aek Nabara line will eventually meet the high mobility needs of the community and accelerate transportation connectivity integration in North Sumatra,” Anwar concluded.