Padang – As the Mak Itam train has not resumed operations on the Sawahlunto Station - Muarokalaban Station route, this track has been temporarily inactive. To address this, the Padang Class II Railway Engineering Centre (BTP Padang), through the Sawahlunto Service Unit (Satpel), has been conducting regular monitoring of the tracks to ensure that they remain safe, sterile and not used by the public without proper authorisation.

This monitoring is in line with the Service Unit's duties and responsibilities as set out in the Minister of Transportation's Decree No: KP 460 of 2023, which outlines the task of monitoring railway tracks.

The monitoring activity, which is carried out using a rail trolley, is carried out on a regular basis, as the railway line is very close to residential areas. There are concerns that if the line is left inactive for too long, the public may use it for purposes that could damage the infrastructure.

For information, the Mak Itam train, which runs on the line from Sawahlunto Station to Muarokalaban Station, last operated on 18 November 2023 and has not resumed service since.

In fact, when BTP Padang recently conducted a monitoring inspection with the rail car, they found that the track had been turned into a parking area for local vehicles and also used as a loading and unloading point for market logistics. In addition, other parts of the track were filled with piles of rubbish and branches.

"I regret that this has happened. I hope that all of us - from the regulator to the local government to the community - can work together to protect this national asset," said the head of BTP Padang during the monitoring session.

According to him, there is a need to raise public awareness so that everyone can play a role in monitoring and protecting the national asset (BMN). If the tracks are damaged, it will be much more difficult to repair them.

“This BMN belongs to all of us, and we must protect it together,” the Head of BTP Padang concluded. (RAH)