Security on north coast highway enhanced
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon
Authorities have enhanced security along the north coast highway and railway in West Java in anticipation of the massive exodus of people from Jakarta to their hometowns in Central and East Java on the eve of the Idul Fitri holiday.
The police in Indramayu will install 1,000 cement-filled drums to separate the two opposite lanes along the 114-kilometer highway from Subang to Cirebon in an effort to help prevent traffic congestion and accidents.
"Even a single traffic accident will cause heavy congestion due to the multiplier effect in certain sections of the highway. The installation of the drums is aimed at forcing motorists to comply with traffic regulations and to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic," Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Hadi Sutedja, chief of the Indramayu Police, said here on Wednesday.
He added that the drums would be installed in certain sections of the highway that were prone to traffic jams and accidents.
Eko said further that the police would also deploy 800 personnel from the police, the local land transportation agency and boy scout groups from numerous schools to help regulate the traffic and handle any traffic jams and accidents.
"All personnel will be stationed at 18 security posts and 22 tactical posts and the command post will be centered in the Eretan area near Cirebon," he said.
He said police would also deploy marksmen in certain sections of the highway which were prone to robberies and other crimes. All police personnel who are assigned to maintain security during the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year holidays have instructions to shoot-on-sight any would-be robbers to maintain security and order.
An average of ten collisions and other traffic accidents occur each month on the north coast highway, with most accidents caused by reckless motorists.
Meanwhile, in Cirebon, state-owned railway company PT KAI is coordinating with the police in Cirebon, Indramayu and Subang in anticipation of disturbances, including terrorist acts, on the busy railways and trains traveling to and from Jakarta.
Suhartono, spokesman for PT KAI's operation area III ranging from Karawang in Bekasi to Brebes in Central Java, said KAI had taken the necessary measures, including deployment of a special antiterrorist squad, to maintain security along the railway which was the backbone of transporting for people traveling to and from Jakarta.
"Besides, the larger part of cargo from Central and East Java to Jakarta and vise versa is transported through the north coast highway," he said.
Suhartono explained that KAI had deployed a total of 1,566 personnel to help local security authorities maintain safety during the Idul Fitri and New Year holidays.
"Besides deploying security personnel at all stations and areas prone to security disturbance, KAI has also started deploying armed police personnel aboard all trains to maintain security in all trains from all routes in Java and Sumatra," he said.