Parliamentary Commission V Raises Concerns Over Jakarta-Merak Toll Road Before Eid Exodus: Damaged Road Causes Congestion
Parliamentary Commission V inspected the condition of the Jakarta-Merak toll road. Robert Rouw, head of Commission V’s special inspection team, assessed that the condition of the Jakarta-Merak toll road is not yet fully suitable ahead of the peak Eid holiday exodus.
The inspection was conducted on Thursday (12 March 2026). During the visit, Commission V discovered that traffic conditions on the Jakarta-Merak toll road were already quite congested, despite the vehicle surge not yet occurring.
“We saw directly the current condition of the Jakarta-Merak toll road, and even without a surge, there is already quite severe congestion on the toll road. This is all caused by toll road damage, so it is not yet fully suitable,” said Robert, as quoted from the parliamentary website on Friday (13 March 2026).
Robert stated that the key factor hindering traffic flow is road damage, including potholes and water pooling. According to him, these conditions could worsen vehicle queues during the peak Eid exodus.
The NasDem politician said the government has committed to completing toll road repairs before the Eid exodus begins. He expressed hope that this commitment would be realised according to schedule.
Furthermore, Robert also highlighted the physical condition of the toll road. He inspected the mitigation measures prepared by the government and toll road managers to cope with the surge in vehicles during the Eid exodus.
He stated that several aspects of concern include handling of potholes, the potential for water pooling caused by flooding, and the readiness of supporting facilities along the toll route.
Robert previously discovered water pooling at one point on the toll road, specifically around the 50-kilometre mark. According to him, this condition needs to be immediately addressed as it could obstruct vehicle flow during heavy rainfall.
He said his team would continue monitoring the readiness of transportation infrastructure, particularly the main toll road leading to ferry terminals, to ensure smooth traffic flow during the Eid exodus.