Deputy Police Chief Outlines Traffic Management Strategy for 2026 Homecoming Exodus
The government predicts that Eid 2026 will involve at least 143.9 million people undertaking homecoming journeys. In response to this massive population movement, the National Police have launched Operation Ketupat 2026, which involves 161,000 combined personnel from various related agencies.
Deputy Police Chief General Dedi Prasetyo explained that the traffic management strategy has been formulated mathematically based on real-time traffic counting data. His office will apply traffic engineering policies in accordance with indicators derived from this traffic data.
“Operation Ketupat 2026 is carried out through a very strict cross-sectoral coordination mechanism. We will implement traffic management on both toll roads and arterial routes with measurable indicators,” Dedi said during a press conference at the Bina Graha Building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Dedi assured that every traffic policy adopted would be socialised to the public. Socialisation will take place at least two hours before implementation.
“Every policy will be socialised to the public no later than two hours before implementation so that people have time to adjust their travel plans,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), stated that the government has prepared security measures in the form of functional routes to ease congestion points. Some 10 functional toll sections in Java and Sumatra are on standby.
“We are preparing 10 functional toll sections in Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan to distribute traffic flows. Additionally, the government is providing stimulus in the form of toll tariff discounts of up to 30% and public transport ticket discounts to encourage the distribution of homebound travellers so they do not concentrate during peak times,” AHY said.
Beyond focusing on traffic flow, Operation Ketupat 2026 also emphasises life safety aspects. A total of 2,746 security posts comprising 1,624 security posts, 779 service posts, and 343 integrated posts will be equipped with emergency health facilities and standby workshops.
The government has called on homebound travellers to ensure that their physical condition and vehicles are in optimal condition before beginning their long journey to their home villages.
With this inter-ministerial synergy, Operation Ketupat 2026 is expected to make this year’s homecoming journey safe and comfortable.