Smooth traffic on holidays

Smooth traffic on holidays

JAKARTA: Many of the capital's major, normally teeming
thoroughfares were empty on Sunday and Monday in the absence of
residents who fled the city to celebrate the religious holidays
in their hometowns.

The usually jammed Jl. Sudirman and Jl. M.H. Thamrin, for
instance, were almost completely deserted.

But there were exceptions. The roads which lead to recreation
areas such as Ancol in North Jakarta, the Ragunan zoo, East
Jakarta and the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta, on the
other hand, were jam-packed with visitors' vehicles.

Roads near public cemeteries, such as Jl. Tanah Kusir in South
Jakarta, meantime, also appeared busy with people stopping to
pray at the graves of their relatives and loved ones.

Jakartans also poured into shopping malls, many of which
remained open on the holiday, although several shops in some of
the buildings were shuttered.

While many Jakartans chose to stay at home and receive guests,
others went to public recreational areas to be with family and
friends.--JP