National Police Chief Prepares Buffer Zone to Manage Gilimanuk-Ketapang Congestion

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has instructed police forces to anticipate a surge in vehicle traffic at the Ketapang Port crossing in Banyuwangi and Gilimanuk Port in Bali through implementation of a buffer zone scheme.

Listyo stated that the predicted increase in vehicle volume would result from the convergence of Eid al-Fitr 2026 holiday travel with celebrations of Balinese Nyepi. “This was discussed yesterday and we are currently coordinating because we must respect the Nyepi celebrations in any case,” Listyo said whilst inspecting holiday travel at Gubeng Station in Surabaya on Sunday (15 March).

To manage potential long queues, the National Police have mapped traffic management schemes categorised across several scenarios, ranging from normal conditions to emergency situations or red alert zones. Listyo stated that personnel had been deployed at critical crossing points and were fully prepared.

“However, I see that the personnel prepared at the Ketapang and Gilimanuk crossing areas have been arranged and managed, including traffic arrangements for normal situations, progressively busy periods through to red alert situations. These have already been prepared,” he said.

A key strategy being implemented is the provision of buffer zones or auxiliary parking areas. Listyo has instructed the East Java Police Chief and Bali Police Chief to conduct fresh assessments of potential buffer zone locations to ensure they can adequately accommodate vehicles in case of congestion.

“The hope is that when congestion occurs, the buffer zone locations will be ready and I have asked the Police Chief [East Java] to conduct further checks, including the Bali Police Chief,” he stated.

Beyond reducing congestion, the buffer zones are intended to provide comfort for waiting drivers. This is important to ensure that members of the public are not stranded whilst waiting for their turn to cross.

“So even if congestion does occur, people will be able to wait in facilities that provide comfort. I will request that continuous checks be carried out,” he said.