Second Lebaran Return Peak Predicted for 29 March 2026, Polri Prepares One-Way and Contraflow Systems

Semarang, VIVA – Polri is preparing traffic engineering measures to handle the second peak of Lebaran return traffic, predicted to occur on Sunday, 29 March 2026. Chief of Traffic Corps Polri, Irjen Agus Suryonugroho, explained that traffic engineering in the form of one-way systems up to contraflow will be reimplemented to address the surge in vehicles. Agus stated that although Operation Ketupat 2026 has concluded, all field units are still continuously monitoring the Lebaran return flow. This is because, he said, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have yet to return to Jakarta. “It is possible that on the 29th there will be a second return peak. We are already prepared,” Agus told reporters at Simpang Lima, Semarang, in the early hours of Thursday, 26 March 2026. “One-way segments or national one-way systems are certainly something we have prepared an emergency plan for,” Agus said. However, he noted that the implementation of one-way or contraflow traffic schemes will depend on parameters of vehicle numbers at toll gates. “So, if the parameter at the Kalikangkung Toll Gate reaches nearly 4,000, we might also implement one-way,” he explained. Agus emphasised that if vehicle volumes remain below the threshold, contraflow engineering will be optimised first. “But if it’s still below 3,800 or 2,500, we can still use the lanes towards Jakarta and the Trans-Java route,” he concluded. On the other hand, Agus also revealed that based on data from the IRSMS application of Korlantas Polri, the number of fatalities during this year’s mudik and return period has seen a significant decline. “The number of fatal fatalities has decreased by 104 people or 30.41 percent. In 2026, 238 people were recorded, while in 2025 it reached 342 people,” he explained. Not only the death toll, but the total number of national traffic accidents also shows a positive trend. Polri recorded a 5.31 percent decrease in traffic accidents, or 153 fewer incidents compared to last year. “This year 2026, there were 2,727 accident cases, while the previous year reached 2,880 cases. Additionally, this year there were no prominent accidents,” added the Head of the Operation Ketupat 2026 Task Force.