Jakarta (21/12) - The operation of the new Manggarai Station building in 2021 is one of the significant achievements made by the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA). The development of the station, which is located in the Administrative City of South Jakarta, is part of the Railway Facility Development program for Manggarai to Jatinegara (double-double track / DDT), which aims to separate commuter train lines from intercity trains.

In addition to the revitalization of Manggarai Station, at the end of September 2021, the Bogor Line elevated track has also been operated to improve services for Jabodetabek commuter train service users. The operation of the elevated railway line optimizes the frequency of KRL trips so that more passengers can be transported.

Not only in Jabodetabek, the Directorate General of Railways also carries out track construction and improvements to railway infrastructure in various locations in Indonesia.

This was conveyed by the Director-General of Railways, Zulfikri, who accompanied the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, during the 2021 Transportation Sector Performance Year End Press Conference and Outlook 2022 on Tuesday (21/12).

Strengthening Connectivity and Improvement of Railway Mode Services

Director General of Railways Zulfikri said, throughout 2021, DJKA has built at least 177.26 km of railway lines throughout Indonesia. Of the total construction of the new line, 49.60 Km has been completed in 2021, while the remaining 127.66 Km is still under construction.

"The completion of the 62.8 km electrification route across Jogja-Solo at the beginning of the year is a form of service improvement with the operation of the Jogja-Solo KRL as the first KRL outside Jabodetabek," said Zulfikri.

In addition, DJKA has operated a 5.4 km Yogyakarta International Airport double flyover, to provide easy access to and from the airport while creating a more integrated transportation system.

Other lines built by DJKA in 2021 include: the Bogor-Sukabumi double track, the Gedebage-Haurpugur double track, the Mojokerto-Sepanjang double track, and the Solo Balapan-Kadipiro Elevated Railway. "In addition to Java, we are also building the Krueng Geukeuh-Paloh railway line and the Besitang-Langsa railway line on Sumatra Island, as well as the construction of the Makassar-Parepare railway line on Sulawesi Island," said Zulfikri.

Furthermore, Zulfikri also said, during 2021, DJKA has improved the railway line along 144.03 Km, of which 86.83 Km have been completed and 57.20 Km are still running. "We are also carrying out maintenance on 192.92 km of railway lines in Java and Sumatra to ensure that all active railway lines can be operated safely and prioritize safety aspects," he continued.

The results of the improvement and maintenance of this railway line are then assessed based on the Track Quality Index (TQI). TQI is a measure of value (index) used to express the level of regularity of a rail. This TQI index is then used as a reference to determine the speed limit allowed when the train passes.

The result is a TQI of 90.36% for categories I and II, which means the railway facilities can run at speeds of 100-120 km/hour, in comfortable conditions (category I) and speeds of 80-100 km/hour in safe conditions (category II).

Furthermore, with the increase in train lines, there is also an increase in On Time Performance from 78% in 2020 to 91% in 2021, the departure and arrival hours of trains are getting more punctual. The train travel time is getting faster because the speed can be optimal, the journey remains comfortable and safe.

"Currently, people who use railway services can feel for themselves the benefits of the construction, improvement and maintenance of railway lines," said Zulfikri.

2021 Budget Performance and 2022 Work Plan

Furthermore, Zulfikri explained, the realization of budget absorption achieved by DJKA as of December 2021 had touched the range of 96.04% or equivalent to Rp. 7.96 T of the total ceiling of Rp. 8.29 T. from DJKA's commitment to continue to encourage the realization of rail transportation connectivity in the midst of a pandemic as instructed by President Joko Widodo.

Until the end of 2021, the Cash-Intensive Program in the railway sector has absorbed a workforce of 19,020 people or 988,614 OrangDay, with a realized wage amounting to Rp. 103.72 billion.

"We realize that through ongoing development, the acceleration of economic recovery can be realized immediately by empowering the community around the construction site through the Cash-Intensive Program in the working area of ??the Railway Engineering Center (12 provinces, 88 districts, 228 villages)," he continued.

Zulfikri reiterated DJKA's commitment to complete development projects and railway line upgrades that have been included in the 2022 Railway Development Outlook.

Several infrastructure development programs that will be implemented in 2022 include: Electrification of the Solo Balapan - Solo Jebres Railway (3.5 Km), Double Track Bogor-Sukabumi (26.8 Km), Double Track Kiaracondong - Cicalengka Phase 1 and 2 (22.17 Km), Mojokerto-Sepanjang double track (33 Km), Maros-Barru railway line (59.6 Km) and Engineering Service Jakarta MRT East-West Project (Phase I).

"We will also continue a number of activities to improve the railway line on the islands of Java and Sumatra, such as the Improvement of Railway Operation Facilities for the Jatinegara-Bogor and Manggarai-Jakarta Kota, the Medan-Labuan railway, the improvement of the Padang-Pariaman cross-train line and the improvement of the railway line in other locations. ", said Zulfikri. (JM/HJA/WID/YSI)