During a visit to the site, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said the ministry is prioritizing the area due to damage to a bridge and railway track caused by shifting foundations.
"We will meet with artists and cultural practitioners and visit several world heritage assets, including the Ombilin coal mine, the bridge, and the railway track, to assess what interventions are needed," Zon said in a statement issued Thursday.
He noted that the bridge, part of the Ombilin site, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019, expressing hope it can be repaired using proven reinforcement methods.
Following discussions with relevant parties, including the Ministry of Public Works, Zon said measures such as raising roads, bridges, or railway lines are needed to anticipate overflow from waterfalls during heavy rainfall.
"We will receive input as soon as the drawings are available. Based on that, we can determine whether the bridge needs strengthening or elevation to meet required standards," he said.
The Anai Valley Railway Bridge is an iconic structure within the Ombilin site in Sawahlunto.
Despite damage caused by natural disasters, several community groups have opposed plans to demolish the railway bridge in Anai Valley, arguing that it must be preserved as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Amid public controversy over the site's condition, the Ministry of Culture has conducted a rapid feasibility study with experts to determine appropriate remedial measures while preserving the site's cultural significance.
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Translator: Farhan Arda Nugraha, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Anton Santoso
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