Bogor (09/04) - The first time the Bogor - Cicurug single line operating was 141 years ago. Now the appearance of the railway line through Bogor Paledang - Cicurug head to Sukabumi is back with the new image train, which will soon serve the Bogor Paledang - Cicurug double track. It was conveyed in a review of the operational relaunch of the Pangrango train (KA) on Sunday (09/04).

This statement is in line with historical records that the single-line Bogor-Cicurug railway was built and first inaugurated in 1881, then Cicurug - Sukabumi - Cianjur - Bandung-Cicalengka was completed in 1884. During the Dutch colonial period, this line was a part of southern Java's backbone, stretched to Yogyakarta.

In his remarks, Director General of Railways Zulfikri said that although the entire construction of the Bogor-Sukabumi double track Phase 1 for the Bogor Paledang - Cicurug section has been completed, the operation will be carried out in stages. "As of today, only one track will be operated (single track) first, and then it will be operated on a double track (double track)," he continued.

Zulfikri also greatly appreciated the West Java Regional Railway Engineering Center's team for the Bogor-Sukabumi double track construction. "Thank you to the team on the field who are not tired and continue to give their best contribution in completing this development even though challenges after challenges continuously  come," he said.

The work on the Bogor-Sukabumi double track is carried out as an implementation of the mandate which is contained in Presidential Regulation Number 58 of 2017 concerning the Acceleration of the South Java Double Track National Strategic Project (PSN). In the process, this project is divided into 6 stages starting in 2018 and is planned to be completely finished in 2023.

In a presentation delivered by the Director of Railway Infrastructure, Harno Trimadi, it was stated that the total length of the entire route built in the Bogor-Sukabumi double track project was 57,650 m'sp. "In this project, we built 16 railway bridges, 15 pedestrian bridges, 8 overpasses, 1 underpass, 1 integration bridge, 6 stations, 9 crossings, 4 supporting facilities, and 11 safety facilities," said Harno.

It is projected, after it is fully operational,  the number of passengers which will be transported through this route will increase from 3,364 people per day to 10,092 people per day. Meanwhile, freight transport that can be transported through this route is projected to double from the previous 648 tons per day to 3,456 tons per day.

In his remarks, Director of Railway Traffic and Transportation Risal Wasal said the number of passengers on the first departure of the Pangrango train this morning from Paledang Station was 140 passengers.

"Therefore, we hope that the construction of the Bogor-Sukabumi double track is expected to provide community welfare by increasing cross-capacity," said Zulfikri. Zulfikri's hope is in line with the conditions of Sukabumi Regency and Bogor Regency, which are tourism destinations as well as supporting the economy through the mineral water and packaged food industries. Thus, this development is expected to catalyze economic growth in the two regions.

Currently, the operational preparations for the Bogor Paledang - Cicurug double track segment are in the testing phase. Therefore, Zulfikri advised that a series of tests can be carried out properly and carefully without compromising safety.

Zulfikri also reminded and invited the local government to work together by paying attention to safety at level crossings after approximately eight months of the route being unused.

"We ask for prayers and community support so that the double track construction process can run smoothly so that the Bogor-Cicurug double track can be fully operated immediately," he concluded.