The Process of Regulating Illegal Structures within the Railway Right of Way at Alai Station, Padang City, under Law No. 23 of 2007 on Railways

The removal of illegal buildings within the railway right of way (ruang manfaat jalur kereta api) is one of the government's efforts to protect the function, safety, and security of railway infrastructure as regulated in Law Number 23 of 2007 concerning Railways. Illegal buildings in the railway right of way not only disrupt the function of railway infrastructure but also hinder the construction of facilities intended for the public interest. One such removal was carried out by the Class II Railway Engineering Center (Balai Teknik Perkeretaapian Kelas II) Padang in the Alai Station area, Padang City, to support the construction of a pedestrian overpass and pedestrian path. The problems examined are: (1) how the removal process is carried out under Law Number 23 of 2007, and (2) what factors hinder it. This study uses an empirical legal research method with a descriptive qualitative approach. The results show that the removal was carried out in stages, namely socialization, warning letters (SP), a coordination meeting, and removal for those who had not complied with the agreement, involving the Class II Railway Engineering Center Padang, PT Kereta Api Indonesia, the Padang City Government, and related agencies. Although the stages were gradual, structured, and persuasive, the implementation has not been fully optimal because some residents have not vacated their buildings. The obstacles consist of social, administrative, and coordination factors