One-Way Return Flow Begins, Kapolri Ensures Functional Traffic Engineering and Toll Readiness
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has officially opened the national one-way traffic engineering for the 2026 Lebaran return flow. The Police Chief ensured that traffic engineering up to the use of functional tolls has been prepared to anticipate the surge in vehicles heading to Jakarta.
The flag-off ceremony for the opening of this one-way return flow took place at the Kalikangkung Toll Gate (GT), Semarang, Central Java, on Tuesday (24/3/2026) at 14:25 WIB. This scheme is implemented from Km 414 GT Kalikangkung to Km 70 GT Cikampek Utama (Cikatama).
“As we all know, up to 24 March, the number of vehicles leaving Jakarta is approximately 2,380,401 vehicles passing through toll roads. Therefore, this afternoon we are implementing the national one-way because we estimate the peak return flow will occur today,” said General Sigit at GT Kalikangkung.
To prevent accumulation or bottlenecks, the Police Chief ensured that the National Traffic Police Corps synergises with all stakeholders to mature various reserve route options. In addition to traffic engineering, this can be done by utilising functional tolls.
“We are dividing it so that no bottlenecks occur when heading towards Jakarta. Therefore, there will certainly be the use of functional tolls, followed by traffic engineering that will be implemented,” he added.
In addition to engineering on toll and arterial roads, General Sigit once again urged the public to utilise the work-from-anywhere (WFA) policy. This scheme is believed to be able to distribute the vehicle volume load so that it does not concentrate only on this day.
“There is a facility from the government, WFA, which can also be used to ease the peak homecoming flow today. So, if there are people who want to return, they can utilise 25, 26, 27 March, so that this peak flow can be dispersed,” explained General Sigit.
He also mentioned other modes of transportation, such as trains, which remain a comfortable choice for the public to return from their hometowns.
Concluding his remarks, the Police Chief asked return travellers to prioritise safety and health factors. He hoped the public would not hesitate to rest at the facilities provided by the state.
“Utilise all facilities provided by the government, whether at rest areas, service posts, or integrated posts. If tired, we hope they can rest and not force themselves,” he concluded.
General Sigit reminded return travellers to continue prioritising safety during the journey. He emphasised the importance of resting if physical condition has declined. Utilise security posts and service posts that have been provided by the Police along with all stakeholders.
The Police Chief ensured that all Police personnel along toll and arterial routes remain on standby to provide services and ensure the return flow runs safely in line with the 2026 homecoming tagline, namely ‘Safe Homecoming, Happy Family’.
In this event, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, BPJT Head Willan Oktavian, Jasa Marga President Director Rivan Achmad Purwantono, Jasa Raharja President Director Muhammad Awaluddin were present. Also attending were Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, and Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Ribut Hari Wibowo.
Accompanying the Police Chief were the Main Officials of National Police Headquarters, namely Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Komjen Fadil Imran, Head of Public Relations Division Irjen Johnny Eddizon Isir, and Head of National Traffic Corps Irjen Agus Suryonugroho as the Head of the 2026 Ketupat Operation Task Force.