The Closure Of Railway Crossings At Senen Station Begins To Be Protested By Residents

Motorcycle users at the train crossing in Pasar Senen area, Central Jakarta/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - The plan to close the railroad crossing (KA) in a plot near Pasar Senen Station has begun to receive resistance from local residents. Especially for residents of Tanah Tinggi Village, Johar Baru District, Central Jakarta.

They threatened to hold a joint demonstration if the related parties persisted in closing the access road to the public facility.

Doli (40), a resident of RW 01, said that many residents around the location of his activities were selling. They generally trade in the Senen area which is only about 200 meters from their homes.

Motorcycle users at the train crossing in the Pasar Senen area, Central Jakarta/ Photo: IST

Doli complained that if the road crossing was closed, residents would have to make a long detour by walking or riding a motorbike for 7 kilometers to get to the Senen area.

"Usually it's only 200 meters, but this is a further detour. Just imagine if we walk and someone brings a cart too. It's a pity for the people who trade," he told reporters, Friday, February 11.

The Head of RW 01 Tanah Tinggi Village, Feri, said the same thing. According to him, the closure plan is very detrimental to residents because many people are active through this access.

"Closing this plot of road will surely make people suffer here," he said.

Feri said that the Tanah Tinggi Urban Village area is dominated by slums and the poor.

"Most of them are trading here and there are also employees. They mostly work in the Senen area, if this road is closed they continue to bring carts and motorbikes to Senen where will they go," he said.

Previously, it was reported that the closure of railroad crossings was resumed by PT KAI and the Central Jakarta City Government. This time, the closure was carried out at the Pasar Senen Station crossing, Central Jakarta.

Central Jakarta Assistant for Economics and Development (Asekbang), Bakwan Ferizan Ginting, said the closure would certainly have social, accessibility and economic impacts, especially on the community.

According to him, the plan will be disseminated to the public.

"We have asked for this to be thoroughly disseminated, thoroughly to the community, so that people also have to change. Let's say that so far people have walked directly to Pasar Senen, it will definitely have an impact," Bakwan said when contacted by VOI, Thursday 10 February.