National One-Way System for Return Traffic Officially Implemented from Kalikangkung Toll Gate

A national one-way traffic engineering measure was officially implemented on Tuesday afternoon (24/3) across all toll road lanes to cope with the peak of Eid al-Fitr return traffic, predicted to occur today.

The implementation of this national one-way system was marked by a flag-off ceremony conducted by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, alongside Traffic Corps Chief Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, and Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, at kilometre 414 of the Kalikangkung Toll Gate.

“We have just opened this one-way toll road lane as part of efforts to manage the return traffic, providing maximum service to the public, easing traffic density, and while still ensuring the safety and comfort of drivers during their journey,” said Pratikno at the Kalikangkung Toll Gate on Tuesday.

This one-way national system at kilometre 414 of the Kalikangkung Toll Gate will be applied up to kilometre 70 of the Jakarta-Cikampek (Japek) Toll Road.

Previously, the government predicted that the peak of Eid al-Fitr return traffic would occur on 24-25 March and 28-29 March.

Head of the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas) Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho urged mudik travellers not to undertake their return journey on 24 March to avoid vehicle build-ups.

“We urge the public, especially our colleagues who are currently in their hometowns, since the peak return traffic is on the 24th, we hope they do not return on that date to prevent congestion,” said Agus to reporters on Sunday (22/3).

Agus reiterated his appeal for the public to take advantage of the work-from-anywhere (WFA) policy. This way, it is hoped that the flow of vehicles returning will not pile up at the same time.

“Please utilise work-from-anywhere on the 26th, 27th, and 28th; it is still work-from-anywhere. Perhaps you can return on the 26th or 27th,” he stated.