Be Careful During Mudik and Tourism: Several Roads in Banten Remain in Darkness

Ahead of the 2026 mudik exodus and Idul Fitri holidays, several road sections commonly used by travelers in Banten remain dark due to a shortage of Penerangan Jalan Umum (PJU) – public street lighting. The dark sections belong to the authorities of districts, cities, provinces and up to national routes. Some examples include the routes to Merak Port, Ciwandan Port, and tourism routes toward Anyer and Cinangka. The Banten provincial government says it has coordinated with PLN to install PJU whose electricity bills are borne by local governments from the provincial level down to the regency/city levels, in accordance with road jurisdiction. “I have already coordinated with the regencies and cities; each is taking corrective measures,” said Banten Governor Andra Soni, speaking from Serang on Friday (6 March). “Furthermore, what falls under provincial authority will be pursued for the installation of lamps, and regarding road repairs, the target is that by H-10 it should be completed,” he added. Meanwhile, Serang Regent Ratu Zakiyah said she cannot yet confirm that street lighting in her area will be lit during the mudik, balik and Idul Fitri 2026 period. “This is still being coordinated so that those who will mudik to our region will be safe,” she said on Friday. The wife of the Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT) said that so far there is no budget available in the Serang Regency government to pay the PJU electricity bills if roads under local government ownership are lit. “Yes. We will review it again because it relates to costs. We will discuss how much budget is actually needed for this,” she explained. List of mudik road sections that are dark: several dark segments include routes on Jalan Raya Serang–Jakarta (Serang Regency), Jalan Raya Cikande–Rangkasbitung (Serang Regency), Jalan Raya Serang–Cilegon, the road from Palima (Serang City) to Cadasari (Pandeglang). Then along Jalan Palima–Cinangka or Palka, connecting Serang City with Serang Regency, the winding, uphill and downhill route serves as an alternative for mudik travellers and tourists. There is also Jalan Lingkar Selatan (JLS) in Cilegon, which is used by mudik motorcyclists heading to Ciwandan Port and will also become a tourist route during Idul Fitri 2026.