Markets may disrupt Lebaran trips

Markets may disrupt Lebaran trips

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Cirebon

Travelers taking the northern coastal route to reach their
hometowns for the upcoming Lebaran holidays might face bad
traffic jams along the way caused by traditional markets spilling
out onto roadways.

The traditional markets -- which are all located along the
main route connecting Jakarta, West Java and Central Java -- have
started to show increasing activity this week.

Because of a lack of order, both from traders, whose stalls
spill out onto roadsides, and their customers, traffic jams would
be hard to avoid.

The traditional markets are Pasar Sandang (Kain) Tegalgubug in
Arjawinangun; Pasar Minggu in Palimanan; Pasar Celancang in
Kapetakan; Pasar Gebang in Gebang; and Pasar Losari in Losari.

Chief of Cirebon Regency Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Bambang
Sukamto, said it was hard for the police to supervise traffic
near the traditional markets.

"Managing the traditional markets is not within our authority.
For this, we'll ask the local administrations to help in managing
them to ensure smooth traffic for holiday travelers," Bambang
said.

Apart from traffic congestion, he also warned that areas
around traditional markets would be prone to criminal activity.
"In order to anticipate all of this -- traffic congestion and
criminal activity -- we'll build (temporary) police posts around
the market areas," Bambang said.

He said that his office would also deploy 1,000 police
officers to ensure security during the peak holiday season when
thousands of people return to their home villages to celebrate
Idul Fitri early next month.

"The personnel will be deployed in dozens of police posts.
Their main tasks will be to secure areas prone to traffic
congestion and criminal activity, including around traditional
markets," Bambang said.

Meanwhile, Cirebon Regent Dedi Supardi said that to anticipate
traffic congestion around traditional markets, the administration
intended to build fences around them.

"The fences will be tightly guarded by police and civilian
guards from the Cirebon regental administration," Dedi said.