Provinces prepare for annual Idul Fitri exodus

JAKARTA (JP): Government offices across the country are intensifying preparations to facilitate the exodus of 26.2 million people from urban centers to towns and villages for the Idul Fitri holiday.

Antara reported yesterday that 16,232 members of the Armed Forces and other institutions will be deployed to maintain security during the celebrations in West Java.

Provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Chairuddin Ismail said in Bandung Tuesday that several incidents had indicated the province could see disturbances during the holiday.

He said violence, murder and accidents were on the rise and should therefore be handled appropriately.

The police have set up 211 command posts along main roads for the Jan. 20 to Feb. 8 period to help motorists. The posts are being manned by medics and mechanics.

In Semarang, Central Java, the main bus station Terboyo has prepared 1,621 buses, plus 100 reserve buses, to cope with the increase in travelers a week before and after Idul Fitri which, according to government calendars, falls on Jan. 30.

The provincial office of the Ministry of Public Works has prepared water pumps in case of floods which could hamper traffic. The pumps have already been set up at some flood-prone areas such as Brebes regency.

In Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, the news agency reported that the administration has prepared 11,684 public transportation vehicles to serve the population of 4.3 million people.

This includes 2,130 local transportation vehicles, 795 interprovince buses, and 4,952 minibuses for the villages. The administration has also provided 75 extra buses as reserve, and a 25 percent discount will apply for all public transportation.

The Palembang Port Authority in South Sumatra will deploy the express ship Bahari-5 from Jan. 25 to facilitate travel. The ship has a capacity of 217 passengers. Another four ships have already been deployed.

The port predicted a 25 percent increase in the number of travelers from Palembang to Muntok on Bangka Island during the Idul Fitri holiday.

In Central Sulawesi, it was reported that the provincial police will deploy thousands of members, including 400 personnel in the capital of Palu, to maintain law and order during the festivities.

The police officers will be posted to festive centers such as shopping malls, mosques and the main thoroughfare, Antara quoted police spokesman Major Agus Sugiono as saying.

The provincial office of the Ministry of Transportation has prepared 350 buses to serve travelers in the province.

Peak

Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto urged Tuesday all field personnel under his ministry to be ready for an increase in traffic this Saturday and Sunday when large numbers of people will return to their home towns or villages for Idul Fitri.

A total 26.2 million people are expected to travel over the holiday this year with 23.5 million of them likely to travel overland, Director General of Land Transportation Santo Budiono was quoted by Antara as saying.

"We have prepared buses as well as trains to meet the transportation needs during those days," he said.

Accidents

The news agency also quoted Singgih Abadi from the state railway company Perumka as saying that 423 out of the total 700 railway crossings between Purworejo in Central Java and Ciamis in West Java, are regular sites of accidents because they have no gates.

The crossings will be guarded by Perumka employees over the holiday, but there may not be enough men, said Singgih.

"We are calling on motorists to be really careful when they come to the railway crossings," Singgih said.

He also warned that some areas in Central Java, such as Karangsari, Kali Logawa, Karanggandul, Jeruk Legi and Kawunganten, are prone to landslides and floods.

In Semarang, for instance, 561 railway crossings do not have guards and are therefore also common sites of accidents. The railway stretches from Bojonegoro to Pekalongan, and a train passes every 18 minutes.

The road stretching along the northern coast of Java is also considered a frequent site of accidents because of the frequent bottlenecks and unfinished construction work.

Along the road connecting Karawang and Cirebon in West Java, for instance, there are dozens of bridges still under repair or construction, including the Jatisari and Cikampek bridges. There are also several bridges under repair in Indramayu.

Bottlenecks are common along the road connecting Ciasem, Subang, Batangsari, and Pamanukan. (swe)