Why Fires in the Tanah Abang Area Disrupt the Cikarang-Duri KRL Service
Fires that occur in densely populated settlements along railway lines, such as in the Tanah Abang area, often have a direct impact on the schedule of the KRL Commuter Line, particularly the Cikarang-Duri route. Although the flames do not directly burn the train sets, strict safety procedures require operations to be temporarily halted. The following are the technical and safety reasons why fires near the tracks cause train service disruptions.
The KRL Commuter Line operates using an Overhead Power Supply (Listrik Aliran Atas/LAA). When a fire occurs near the tracks, KAI Commuter officers often have to cut off the electricity to the overhead cables. This is done to prevent a larger electrical short circuit or the risk of electrocution for firefighters who are spraying water around the location. Along the tracks, there are signalling and telecommunication instrument cables that are highly sensitive to heat. Extreme temperatures from residential fires can damage cable insulation or sever communication lines between stations. If the signalling system is disrupted, trains are not permitted to pass in order to avoid the risk of accidents or collisions between sets.
When a fire breaks out in a dense settlement, the railway line often becomes the only access point for residents to save themselves or evacuate valuable goods. Additionally, firefighters usually stretch water hoses across the tracks to reach the seat of the fire. The presence of crowds and firefighting equipment on the tracks makes it impossible for trains to pass safely. The intense heat from a major fire can affect the structure of the steel rails. Uneven expansion due to extreme temperatures risks causing the rails to warp or become imprecise. Before trains are allowed to pass through again, infrastructure officers must conduct a technical inspection to ensure the rails are still in a fit and safe condition for heavy train sets to traverse.
Commuter Line (KRL) travel on the Tanah Abang-Duri route experienced significant disruption due to a fire that hit a residential settlement near the railway tracks. KAI Commuter confirmed that train operations had to be adjusted in the interest of passenger safety and the firefighting process at the scene. Through an official statement on its X social media account, KAI Commuter apologised for the inconvenience experienced by service users. “There are Commuter Line travel delays between Tanah Abang and Duri Stations due to a fire in a residential area near the railway tracks,” the official statement read.