Peak of 2026 Lebaran Return Flow Predicted to Surge, Traffic Engineering Preparations Underway

The government, in collaboration with the police, predicts that the peak of the 2026 Lebaran return flow will experience a significant surge. The movement of the public returning to major cities after the extended Idulfitri holiday is expected to occur simultaneously, particularly during the last weekend of the holiday period. The latest reports indicate that the South Sumatra Regional Police have confirmed full readiness in escorting public mobility. This was directly stated by the South Sumatra Police Chief, Inspector General of Police Sandi Nugroho, following his attendance at a national evaluation meeting with the National Police Chief via virtual conference from the Benteng Kuto Besak area in Palembang on Tuesday (24/3/2026). This strengthening of security measures is a follow-up to the National Police Chief’s directives for all police ranks to maintain the smooth flow of the return traffic while ensuring that public security and order remain conducive, especially at crowded points. In his statement, the South Sumatra Police Chief emphasised the importance of adaptive traffic engineering strategies on the ground. The South Sumatra Regional Police have prepared several schemes, such as the one-way system, contraflow, and lane opening and closing, which will be implemented according to traffic conditions. “We are not rigid on one scheme. Traffic engineering is carried out flexibly in accordance with the dynamics of vehicle volume on the ground, which is monitored in real-time,” said Inspector General of Police Sandi Nugroho. According to him, the implementation of these policies is not rigid but adjusted to the development of traffic volume monitored in real-time. Police personnel are also deployed at several main routes to ensure smooth travel until the return flow ends. In addition to security on highways, the police are also increasing surveillance in tourist areas that are still crowded with visitors during the remaining Lebaran holiday. These efforts are accompanied by safety education, particularly at water tourism sites and areas with high risk potential, to prevent accidents. At the national level, the National Police Chief has also appreciated the decline in traffic accident fatalities throughout the 2026 Lebaran period. The South Sumatra Regional Police are committed to maintaining this achievement through preventive and educational approaches to the public. Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of the South Sumatra Regional Police, Commissioner of Police Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, revealed that the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy in effect from 25 to 27 March 2026 can be utilised to reduce the density of the return flow.