Padang — The Head of the Class II Railway Technical Office (BTP) in Padang, Hendrialdi, revealed that all railway tracks in West Sumatra, both active and inactive, are a priority for BTP Padang.

Currently, the length of inactive railway tracks in West Sumatra is found to exceed the length of active tracks. There are approximately 245 kilometres of inactive tracks compared to 107 kilometres of active tracks.

"BTP Padang, in cooperation with the operational units in our work areas, namely Satpel Sawahlunto, Padang Panjang, and Padang Pariaman, regularly conducts socialization and monitoring to maintain assets on both active and inactive tracks," Hendrialdi said in his statement.

According to him, the priority for asset maintenance is not only for the inactive tracks, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites but for all railway assets. This is in line with the duties and functions of the Railway Technical Office as outlined in the Ministry of Transportation Regulation No. 63 of 2014, which mandates the improvement, development, management, maintenance, and utilization of railway infrastructure, as well as the supervision of railway facilities and safety.

"Although BTP Padang already has operational units in several regions within its operational area, including areas where inactive tracks are located, and has carried out monitoring and socialization efforts to protect state assets, this is not enough and we still need the cooperation of the entire community to protect these assets," he stressed.

He explained that the joint protection of these assets is for the common good, as they are invaluable resources, especially since they have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Protection by all parties will prevent losses that could have a negative impact on daily life.