"Consequently, the Rantau Prapat-Aek Kanopan route had been closed temporarily," Chief Public Relations Manager of state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) for North Sumatra Hasrie said here Wednesday.
Heavy rain in Labuhan Batu Utara in the past week caused Milano river to overflow and broke down the railroad bridge.
The closure of the Rantau Prapat route to Aek Kanopan, Labura regency, may last a month.
Technical personnel of PT KAI had already been sent to the broken down bridge for repair which may take a month.
In view of this happening in Milano village, PT KAI for the time being only served passengers to Medan up to Aek Kanopan sub-district, while those going to Rantau Prapat can continue their journey from Aek Kanopan by bus for an hour.
From Rantau Prapat and its surroundings, he said, PT KAI had also been transporting crude palm oil every day to Belawan port, Medan.
Besides Rantau Prapat railway station, he said, Aek Kanopan station had also been transporting a great deal of plantation commodities, especially CPO.
The North Sumatra important export commodity had been sent by a number of plantation companies to Aek Kanopan station, and after wards transported to Belawan port by rail.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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