Minister of Transport and Traffic Police Chief inspect Merak and Ciwandan Ports

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Indonesia’s Minister of Transport Dudy Purwagandhi, together with National Police Traffic Corps Chief Irjen Pol. Agus Suryonugroho and several related stakeholders, inspected Merak and Ciwandan ports in Banten on Wednesday in the early morning hours.

The first inspection was at Merak Port. There, the Traffic Corps Chief and Minister of Transport reviewed the port situation and greeted travellers undertaking the annual homecoming journey.

Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that thanks to excellent coordination with the National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas Polri) and Banten Provincial Police, travellers heading towards Merak were able to travel smoothly.

“God willing, there have been no disruptions on the roads, and likewise here at Merak Port, we have prepared sufficient ships so there is no congestion,” he said.

On the same occasion, Director General of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Heru Widodo stated that Tuesday night (17 March) marked the peak of passenger movement at Merak Port.

“From 8 o’clock this morning until 8 o’clock this evening, we recorded approximately 12,680 vehicles, and if we accumulate this through today, we have already processed around 13,000 vehicles with reservations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Traffic Corps Chief Irjen Pol. Agus Suryonugroho stated that the state is present to ensure that both the outbound and return journeys of travellers proceed smoothly.

The second inspection was at Ciwandan Port. There, the Minister of Transport, Traffic Corps Chief, and several related stakeholders greeted travellers using motorcycles and witnessed the departure of travellers for their journeys.

The Minister stated that the process of dispatching homebound travellers from the port onto ships proceeded smoothly.

“Our brothers and sisters on two-wheeled vehicles were able to board the ships quickly, and there was no congestion or traffic jams at the port,” he said.

“This demonstrates that the arrangements for this homecoming period have been running well so far. My thanks go to the National Police, specifically the Traffic Corps, Banten Provincial Police, and other stakeholders, including Pelindo as owner of Ciwandan Port, and ASDP for providing the ships,” he said.

He expressed hope that future homecoming traffic flows would continue to improve and proceed smoothly.