Traditional markets may disrupt Lebaran journeys

Nana Rukmana The Jakarta Post/Cirebon

Travelers taking the northern coastal route to reach their hometowns for the upcoming Lebaran holidays might face bad traffic jams along the way caused by traditional markets spilling out onto roadways.

The traditional markets -- which are all located along the main route connecting Jakarta, West Java and Central Java -- have started to show increasing activity on Thursday.

Because of a lack of order, both from traders, whose stalls spill out onto roadsides, and their customers, traffic jams would be hard to avoid.

The traditional markets are Pasar Sandang (Kain) Tegalgubug in Arjawinangun; Pasar Minggu in Palimanan; Pasar Celancang in Kapetakan; Pasar Gebang in Gebang; and Pasar Losari in Losari.

Chief of Cirebon Regency Police, Adj. Sr. Comr. Bambang Sukamto, said it was hard for the police to supervise traffic near the traditional markets.

"Managing the traditional markets is not within our authority. For this, we'll ask the local administrations to help in managing them to ensure smooth traffic for holiday travelers," Bambang said.

Apart from traffic congestion, he also warned that areas around traditional markets would be prone to criminal activity. "In order to anticipate all of this -- traffic congestion and criminal activity -- we'll build (temporary) police posts around the market areas," Bambang said.

He said that his office would also deploy 1,000 police officers to ensure security during the peak holiday season when thousands of people return to their home villages to celebrate Idul Fitri early next month.

"The personnel will be deployed in dozens of police posts. Their main tasks will be to secure areas prone to traffic congestion and criminal activity, including around traditional markets," Bambang said.

Meanwhile, Cirebon Regent Dedi Supardi said that to anticipate traffic congestion around traditional markets, the administration intended to build fences around them.

"The fences will be tightly guarded by police and civilian guards from the Cirebon regental administration," Dedi said.