South Sumatra Police Chief Confirms Kapal Betung Toll Road Prepared for 2026 Homecoming Rush
The Regional Police Chief of South Sumatra (Sumsel) Irjen Sandi Nugroho has confirmed the readiness of the strategically important Kapal Betung Toll Road as a critical corridor for national homecoming traffic on the island of Sumatra. Sandi inspected the toll route alongside South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru and Pangdam II/Sriwijaya Major General TNI Ujang Darwis.
The inspection was conducted to verify the condition of toll road infrastructure, facilities supporting travellers, and security preparedness at several strategic points along the route ahead of Operation Ketupat 2026.
Sandi emphasised that the field inspection forms part of anticipatory measures to ensure all relevant parties are prepared for the surge in public mobility during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. According to him, the primary objective of these preparations is to provide a sense of security and comfort for those undertaking the homecoming journey.
“Travellers must be comfortable, travellers must be safe, and we share responsibility in preparing all of this,” said Sandi on Tuesday (10 March 2026).
The Kapal Betung Toll Road is one of the main routes connecting vehicle traffic from Lampung towards Palembang and other areas of South Sumatra, making it crucial for smooth homecoming mobility across southern Sumatra.
During the inspection, the South Sumatra Police Chief and his team travelled the toll route from Musi Landas Toll Exit, through rest areas, the Musi V Bridge, to Kayu Agung. The checks covered road surface condition, rest area readiness, safety facilities, and potential congestion points during the homecoming rush.
Sandi added that every section of the toll road must be verified as ready, with effective inter-agency coordination in the field. The safety and comfort of homebound travellers, he stressed, is the top priority for Operation Ketupat 2026.
He also instructed his personnel to map high-risk congestion points, prepare adaptive traffic management schemes, and improve rest area services to support traveller comfort.
The toll road inspection involved various elements of the South Sumatra Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), including relevant agencies such as the Public Works and Road Infrastructure Office, the National Road Implementation Board, the Transportation Office, Jasa Raharja, and toll road operators.
The South Sumatra Police Chief was accompanied by several senior officials from the South Sumatra Regional Police, including the Operations Chief Brigadier Muhammad Anis Prasetio Santoso, Traffic Director Brigadier Maesa Soegriwo, Satuan Samapta Director Brigadier M Rendra Salipu, and Public Relations Chief Brigadier Nandang Mu’min Wijaya.
The presence of these various elements demonstrates strong cross-sector coordination in ensuring the readiness of homecoming routes in South Sumatra. As part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road network, the Kapal Betung Toll Road serves as a critical corridor for inter-provincial vehicle mobility in southern Sumatra.
The readiness of this route impacts not only the smooth flow of homecoming traffic towards Palembang, but also vehicle movement to and from other provinces on the island of Sumatra.
The South Sumatra Police Chief’s proactive inspection of the route forms part of a security strategy that ensures all potential risks can be anticipated before the peak of the homecoming rush.
South Sumatra Regional Police Public Relations Chief Brigadier Nandang Mu’min Wijaya confirmed that the toll road inspection is part of a structured series of preparations for Operation Ketupat 2026. With cross-sector coordination and continuously improving infrastructure readiness, the South Sumatra Regional Police is confident that Operation Ketupat 2026 in South Sumatra can proceed safely, smoothly, and conducively.
“The South Sumatra Police Chief has instructed all personnel to ensure homecoming security preparations are carried out maximally. The public can travel home with peace of mind because authorities are already present ensuring route readiness,” said Nandang.