Government Limits Freight Operations for Safer Eid Holiday Travel

“Public safety and the smooth flow of homecoming and return travel during the 2026 Eid transportation period are the government’s top priorities,” the minister said in a statement on Monday.

He conveyed the statement regarding the implementation of a Joint Decree (SKB) on Road Traffic and Crossing Arrangements During the 2026 Eid Homecoming and Return Flow, signed by the Transportation Ministry, the Public Works Ministry, and the National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas).

One of the provisions stipulated in the decree is the restriction on freight transport operations from 13 to 29 March 2026, on both toll and arterial roads.

“This measure is taken solely to protect the safety of millions of people and to ensure that journeys can be carried out safely, smoothly, and comfortably,” he remarked.

Purwagandhi explained that the 16-day restriction was based on evaluations of congestion and accidents during previous Eid transportation periods, as well as traffic modelling analysis conducted with relevant stakeholders.

According to 2024 Korlantas data, traffic accidents involving freight vehicles reached 27,337 cases, or 10.4 per cent of total accidents nationwide.

In the same year, over-dimension and overloading (ODOL) trucks were the second leading cause of fatal accidents, with 6,390 deaths recorded.

The policy, he stressed, is not intended to hamper businesses but to regulate mobility so that public travel and goods distribution can run safely and smoothly.

However, the restriction does not apply to vehicles transporting fuel, livestock, fertiliser, disaster aid, and staple goods, provided they comply with load and dimension regulations.

He urged freight operators to complete deliveries before 13 March 2026, and advised travellers to maintain their health and monitor official weather updates.