By H-9 Lebaran, Mass Exodus Traffic Surges as Tens of Thousands Enter Central Java
INFRASTRUCTURE repairs on roads and bridges in Central Java continue to be expedited ahead of H-7 Lebaran, with all repairs expected to be completed so that homebound travellers can pass through safely and smoothly. By H-9 Lebaran, tens of thousands of travellers have already entered Central Java using various modes of transportation including land, sea and air routes. The peak exodus this year is predicted to occur in two waves on 14-15 March and 18-19 March.
National road conditions have reached 93.5% completion. Repairs to road sections and bridges across various routes—both national and provincial—continue to be accelerated, from pothole repairs to concrete works.
According to Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti, the city has dispatched seven empty buses to pick up travellers from the Indonesian Mini (TMII) in Jakarta. These buses are expected to return to Semarang carrying approximately 350 travellers.
Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang has prepared adequate facilities to welcome incoming travellers. The port’s Branch Manager, S Joko, stated that the port has anticipated weather conditions, including tidal flooding. Beyond providing a comfortable terminal with a capacity of 1,100 people, the port has prepared parking facilities for 200 cars and 100 motorcycles, as well as connecting transport vehicles to meet travellers’ needs for onward journeys to various regions in Central Java.
According to preliminary data, the number of ship passengers through Tanjung Emas Port during the H-15 to H-10 Lebaran period increased by 20 per cent compared to the previous year—rising from 9,000 passengers to 11,000 passengers during the same period.
General Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang will operate a Lebaran information post from Friday (13/3) until Monday (30/3) as passenger numbers are expected to increase to approximately 30,000 passengers daily. The airport has prepared various facilities to provide service, security and passenger comfort. Airport General Manager Sulistyo Yulianto stated that 288 additional personnel have been deployed—258 internal officers and 30 external personnel—to manage the surge from the usual 15 daily passengers to 30,776 daily passengers during the 24-30 March period.
Security operations have been coordinated across multiple regions. Police forces in Tuban held a readiness parade for Operation Ketupat 2026 to ensure security and smooth celebrations of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H. Metro Bekasi Police Operation Ketupat Jaya 2026 deployed 1,238 combined personnel from police, military, local government and related agencies. Operation Ketupat Lodaya 2026 aims to ensure all exodus travel and Eid celebrations proceed safely, comfortably, orderly and smoothly.
Peak exodus traffic in Central Java became evident on Friday afternoon (28/3), with vehicles on toll roads reaching 5,500 units per hour. Vehicle traffic entering Central Java began increasing on Sunday (23/3), with tens of thousands of combined personnel deployed along exodus routes.