Colonial Era Train Tracks Found in Kayutangan Heritage Malang Construction

Kapanlagi.com - Colonial era train tracks were found at the construction site of Kayutangan Heritage in Malang City. The tracks were visible when the project excavator dug up the asphalt road at the Rajabaly intersection.

The tracks are located in the middle of the road, stretching about 200 meters from south to north. When the asphalt was uncovered, the track was seen running right below the road median.

In addition to the iron tracks, several remnants of wooden sleepers were also found. The wood is already decayed due to age and buried in the ground.

1. Once Became a Tram Route in the Dutch East Indies

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Cahyana Indra Kusuma, a Cultural Heritage Observer, said that the location had indeed been a tram route during the Dutch East Indies era. The railway line in Kayutangan was a track for trams from Jagalan Station to Blimbing Station, with a length of approximately 6 km.

"The route was opened on February 15, 1903 and predicted to be closed in 1959, with a railway track length of about 6 km," said Indra at the Kayutangan Heritage Site, Rajabaly Kota Malang, on Wednesday (11/11).

2. Transportation for People and Goods

© KapanLagi.com/Darmadi Sasongko

According to Indra, the tram was a means of transportation for people and goods, especially for transporting employees who lived in satellite areas. The employees commuted to sugar factories in Kendalpayak, Panggungrejo, Krebet, and Kebonagung, which are located in the southern part of Malang.

If it were dismantled, tram railway tracks would definitely be found along the road. In fact, some parts are still visible on the surface of the road.

"The length found is about 200 meters, and there are also tracks in front of the PLN Office," he emphasized.

The width of the tracks conforms to the standard of railway tracks, which is 1.067 meters, but due to weather factors, some points have widened to 1.1 meters and 1.09 meters.

3. Kota Malang Sedang Bangun Kawasan Heritage

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Kota Malang is currently building a Heritage Area named Kayutangan Heritage. The area is located along Basuki Rahmad Street for about 600 meters.

The location will become the center of Malang's Heritage with a road construction made of andesite stone. During the asphalt excavation to be replaced with andesite stone, train tracks can be seen.

The construction is divided into three zones, namely Zone I: PLN Office-Rajabaly Intersection, Zone II: Rajabaly-Merdeka Film Building, and Zone III: Ismail Marzuki Statue. The budget is a combination of the national and local government budgets of Malang.

(kpl/dar/nda)