Holidaymakers warned of 'deadly' roads
SEMARANG (JP): Holiday revelers bound for hometowns in Central Java for Idul Fitri are being cautioned about at least 11 accident-prone areas in the province.
Governor Mardiyanto said on Monday he had been informed that a number of road sections in the province were dangerous because of sharp bends, makeshift markets and floods.
The critical spots are situated on routes between Boyolali and Kartasura, Ungaran and Bawen, Salatiga and Boyolali, Juwana and Rembang, Kudus and Pati, Semarang and Demak, Ambarawa and Secang, Prembun and Purworejo, Majenang and Wangon, Slawi and Margasari and between Ketanggungan and Prupuk.
"Apart from sharp curves and floods, we have observed in a number of towns seasonal traders resort to opening business on sidewalks," the governor said.
Mardiyanto said the local authorities would detour vehicles to 23 alternative routes which are safer and less crowded.
Roads across Java island will be crowded with vehicles carrying an estimated two million people leaving for and coming from their hometowns one week before and after the Idul Fitri holiday, which is expected to fall on Jan. 8.
Mardiyanto said Central Java authorities would prohibit trucks and trailers from using routes along the north coast between four days before and one day after the holiday, except those carrying essentials, cattle, milk and gas.
During the same period, private cars will be barred from using main roads to allow buses from eastern Java to arrive in Jakarta in ample time to pick up people leaving the capital for their hometowns.
Separately, Central Java Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo confirmed that security authorities were prepared to maintain order prior to and during the New Year and Idul Fitri holidays. He said some 10,000 military troops would be deployed as backups for the police.
"Hundreds of trucks and buses are ready to transport people in case of (bus) strikes," said Bibit.
In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, the business-class section on ships operated by state sea transportation company PT Pelni is booked solid until the end of January.
The head of Pelni's Makassar office, Wardi Syamsuddin, told The Jakarta Post on Monday the number of ship passengers leaving the town for Christmas, New Year's and Idul Fitri was estimated at over 100,000.
The exodus is expected to peak this week, with most passengers bound for Java.
Wardi said the company would tolerate a passengers overload of between 30 percent and 50 percent aboard each vessel due to the sharp increase of travelers. Pelni has said the extra capacity is within safety standards.
A Pelni ship has between 1,500 and 2,000 seats.
At least 12 ships dock at Makassar port every day during holiday seasons. (27/har)