Indonesia, March 1 -- Indonesia's Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo announced plans to establish a joint task force with state-run railway operator PT KAI to protect train lines from flooding, following recent disruptions in northern Java.

"Our plan is to work with colleagues at the railway service to establish a task force. Hopefully, no more railways will be disrupted by accumulating rainwater or flooding," Hanggodo said in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday.

The minister explained that he had been inspecting land transport facilities and infrastructure to ensure readiness ahead of the Eid al-Fitr homecoming season, when millions of Indonesians travel across the country.

His inspections included railway tracks, with a focus on preve...