1,030 Travellers Depart Bangka Island through Tanjungkalian Port
The Eid holiday exodus through Tanjung Kalian Port in Mentok, West Bangka, Bangka Belitung Province (Babel), has begun to experience significant increases.
West Bangka Police Chief AKBP Pradana Aditya Nugraha stated that since Operation Ketupat Menumbing 2026 commenced on Friday (13 March), there has been a marked increase in traveller mobilisation through the port.
He noted that 1,030 people have departed Bangka Island heading to Palembang, South Sumatra, through Tanjungkalian Port. Vehicle movements included 164 motorcycles, 321 cars, and eight heavy vehicles on the first day of the operation.
“Until the first day of the operation, approximately 1,030 people from our region departed for Palembang, with 164 motorcycles, 321 cars, and eight heavy vehicles,” said the Police Chief.
Pradana reported that current conditions remain orderly and conducive. However, congestion at Tanjungkalian Port has been caused by tidal fluctuations in the sea current.
According to him, congestion at Tanjungkalian Port has also been influenced by passenger movements from Tanjung Api-Api (TAA), South Sumatra. “The congestion at Tanjungkalian is caused by tidal fluctuations, which is one of the obstacles in boarding and disembarking passengers,” the former Central Bangka Police Chief said.
He added that the peak of the first wave of the exodus is estimated to occur on 14-15 March 2026, with the second wave on 18-19 March. Meanwhile, the return journey is predicted to occur in the first wave on 24-25 March and 28-29 March.
As Eid approaches, passenger movement through Gilimanuk Port to Ketapang Port has been monitored as crowded. Seven days before Eid, 1,570 travellers were recorded departing from Ahmad Yani Port in Ternate heading to Bitung, Banggai, Bau-Bau, Makassar, Balikpapan, and Surabaya.
Bandung District Government together with Bandung Police have established an integrated command post providing services to travellers such as free motorcycle servicing, health posts, and child-friendly areas.
As Eid approaches, traffic on the Cipali Toll Road heading to Palikanci Toll has been monitored as increasingly congested. The Bocimi Toll Road Section 3 on the Cibadak-Karangtengah access route in Sukabumi District, West Java, has been officially activated from 14-29 March to ease congestion during the 2026 Eid exodus and return journey.
To facilitate crossing between Palembang and Muntok, a new dock is planned to be built at Tanjung Kalian Muntok Port in West Bangka. Among the many special food souvenirs from Bangka Island, otak-otak (fish cake) is the most sought-after item.