Andra Soni and Dimyati Inspect Merak Port to Facilitate Eid Exodus
Banten Governor Andra Soni and Vice Governor Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah conducted a direct inspection of Merak Port in Cilegon City to assess readiness for the 2026 Eid exodus. The visit was undertaken to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the religious holiday period. Both officials accompanied Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, along with several ministers and heads of state institutions.
At Merak Port, the delegation inspected several strategic locations, particularly the Executive Terminal, which serves as the main route for small vehicles and pedestrians heading to Sumatra. The group also examined the fleet of ships that will operate during the exodus period to ensure optimal ferry services.
Coordinating Minister Pratikno stated that the inspection was also intended to verify the readiness of all parties in managing the surge in population movement during this year’s Eid exodus. Based on a survey by the Ministry of Transportation, the number of travellers this year is estimated to exceed 143 million people, though the actual figure could be higher.
“Our target is naturally to ensure the exodus is conducted safely, smoothly, comfortably, and peacefully,” said Pratikno in a written statement on Friday 13 March 2026.
According to him, the peak of the exodus is expected to begin around 18 March 2026, whilst the return journey is predicted to take place in late March. Given the considerable time span of the exodus period, the government hopes that population movement can be distributed more evenly across several days rather than concentrated at one time.
“We hope the exodus traffic can be distributed more evenly since this year there are weekends, flexible working arrangements for civil servants, collective leave, and holidays for Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr,” explained Pratikno.
Pratikno also emphasised the importance of all parties being prepared to anticipate various possible situations in the field, including weather factors and port operational conditions. Officers must be responsive in serving travellers should any obstacles arise.
“We also urge the public to always follow official information and directives from officers so that the exodus journey proceeds safely, comfortably, smoothly, and peacefully,” said Pratikno.
Meanwhile, Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that several measures have been prepared to anticipate the surge in vehicle and passenger flow at Merak Port. In preparation for this year’s exodus, several support facilities have been strengthened, including the addition of buffer zones to reduce vehicle congestion heading to the port.
The government has also prepared several alternative ports as a contingency measure should lengthy queues develop at Merak Port, including the use of the Southern Ring Road (JLS) in Cilegon as a route to the port. “In addition, there is a port that can serve as an alternative when queuing conditions are quite long, namely Krakatau Bandar Samudera Port,” explained Sigit.
The Police Chief also highlighted the importance of command centres and media centres during the exodus period. According to him, both facilities play a vital role in conveying various information to the public quickly and accurately.
“What is most important is how all policies can be widely disseminated,” said Sigit.
Present at the inspection were Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi, Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Commander of the Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto, and Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency Prof Teuku Faisal Fathani.