Tomorrow's Predicted Return Flow: What is Polri's Strategy?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Polri predicts that the peak of the Lebaran 2026 return flow will begin on Tuesday (24/3/2026), with subsequent waves on 28 to 29 March 2026. To anticipate the surge in vehicles, various strategies have been prepared, ranging from traffic engineering to appeals for the public to regulate their travel times. This prediction was conveyed based on the evaluation results of the implementation of Operation Ketupat 2026, which up to the 10th day has run relatively safely and conducively. The spokesperson for the Public Relations Task Force of Operation Ketupat 2026, Senior Commissioner Pol Marupa Sagala, stated that this year’s return flow pattern is estimated to be divided into two phases. “Based on the prediction, the peak return flow is expected to occur on 24 March and 28 to 29 March 2026,” said Marupa in his statement on Sunday (22/3/2026). So, what are Polri’s strategies to face the peak return flow that starts tomorrow? As the main step, the Indonesian Traffic Corps (Korlantas) Polri will implement a national one-way traffic engineering scheme starting 24 March 2026. This policy is taken to ease congestion on the main return flow routes, particularly on the Trans-Java toll road sections. Head of Korlantas Polri Inspector General Pol Agus Suryonugroho said that the implementation of the one-way system is the result of cross-agency coordination. “Korlantas Polri will also implement a national one-way scheme for the return flow planned to start on 24 (March 2026), in accordance with the National Police Chief’s instructions and the results of coordination with the Minister of Transportation, President Director of Jasa Marga, and Jasa Raharja,” said Agus on Sunday. Polri also appeals to the public to arrange their travel schedules to avoid peak density. One way is by utilising the work from anywhere (WFA) policy.