Focus on Securing Return Flow: Police Manage 42% of Mudik Travellers Yet to Return to Jakarta
Despite Operation Ketupat 2026 officially ending on Wednesday (25/3), the Indonesian National Police (Polri) remains on high alert to secure the residual Eid return flow. This effort is conducted through Enhanced Routine Police Activities (KRYD), as approximately 42% of recorded mudik travellers have yet to re-enter Jakarta.
Head of the National Police Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas) Polri, Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, explained that the focus is currently on mudik movements in agglomeration areas and potential surges in subsequent return waves.
“From our projections, 42% have not yet entered Jakarta. We are still managing this. Of course, Police Headquarters’ Operation Ketupat has concluded, but routine police activities have been intensified,” Agus stated in Semarang, Central Java, in the early hours of Thursday (26/3).
Police officers continue to be deployed in the field to monitor public movements, particularly in agglomeration zones and hometowns. Polri anticipates a follow-up return wave soon.
“Currently, activities are still concentrated in hometowns, and it’s possible that on 29 March there will be a second peak return. We are prepared,” Agus added.
Throughout Operation Ketupat 2026, the Traffic Corps recorded a new milestone in vehicle volumes. This year’s peak outbound flow reached 270,315 vehicles, an increase of 4.62% from 258,512 vehicles in 2025.
Despite significant congestion, Agus emphasised that traffic conditions remained under control thanks to the implementation of traffic engineering, including a nationwide one-way system.
In addition to traffic aspects, Polri ensured that public security and order maintenance (Harkamtibmas) proceeded stably. There were no notable incidents disrupting the national religious holiday celebrations this year.
The series of observances from Chinese New Year, Nyepi, to Eid al-Fitr 2026 were generally reported to have taken place safely and conducively.
Based on data from the Lebaran Transport Post for the period 22 March to 25 March 2026 at 14:00 WIB (H to H+3), the number of passengers returning to Java reached only 36.4% of the total mudik travellers.
Eid 2026 accident fatalities dropped by 28%, though motorcycle accidents and driver fatigue remain primary threats during the mudik and return flows.
Nurses from the Indonesian Red Cross Jakarta East Branch, Ahmad Zulfikar, explained that mudik travellers seeking check-ups typically complain of severe headaches.
Seventeen mudik travellers from Tegal, who were stranded at Rest Area 338A in Pekalongan, were successfully evacuated and transported home using police service buses.
Besides ensuring physical fitness, maintaining hydration is a crucial point that must not be overlooked, even as mudik travellers observe the fasting worship.
The aforementioned figure reached only 50.16% of the total projection of 3.39 million vehicles expected to return to Jabotabek by 31 March.
Based on data from PT Jasamarga Transjawa Tol (JTT) until 23:46 WIB, 85,453 vehicles had been recorded passing through GT Cikatama towards Jakarta.