From trackside shacks to new homes, Jakarta families weigh what comes next

Jakarta, Indonesia: Families living in shacks adjacent to railway tracks in Central Jakarta's Tanah Abang district have endured years of life disrupted by train traffic. The constant rumble of trains, some as frequent as every five to ten minutes during rush hour, has become a part of daily life for residents like drink seller Tuti Lestari.

While Tuti has grown accustomed to the situation, she acknowledges the risks, including about one accident per year resulting in fatalities among those unfamiliar with train routes. President Prabowo Subianto recently visited railside settlements in Pasar Senen, Central Jakarta, pledging to swiftly provide proper housing for residents.

This has sparked a nationwide program to relocate families living near active railway tracks, starting with Jakarta before expanding to other areas. The Indonesian Railway Company (KAI) has begun compiling a list of residential areas along railway tracks, targeting development in areas such as Pasar Senen. The government aims to relocate thousands of Indonesians living in these areas, with plans to expand the program to other railside settlements in the future.

The first relocation phase in Senen has provided 324 new homes, equipped with basic amenities, to residents who have voluntarily accepted the offer. The new settlement offers improved living conditions, including access to shared facilities and a safer environment compared to their previous railside homes.