PT KAI plans railway reactivation in West Sumatra

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) has announced plans to reactivate railway lines in West Sumatra, starting with a 15.3-kilometer section from Kayu Tanam to Padang Panjang scheduled for 2027. This initial phase will utilize specialized cog railway technology. Future expansion plans include extending the lines to Solok and Sawahlunto.

To facilitate this reactivation, PT KAI is requesting assistance from regional leadership forums (Forkopimda) to socialize the removal of approximately 6,800 buildings identified within the railway's 12-meter clearance zone. The company noted that these structures, along with the region's hilly geography and natural disaster risks, pose significant challenges to the project.

Currently, West Sumatra possesses approximately 312 kilometers of track, of which 35.53% is active. The existing network supports passenger services such as the Pariaman Ekspres and Minangkabau Ekspres, as well as freight services for cement distribution. Experts suggest that long-term operational sustainability for the reactivated lines will require consistent government subsidies.