Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi voiced support for a proposal to impose one-way scheme uninterruptedly on toll roads during the Eid al-Fitr return flow.

"I agree that the one-way traffic scheme be imposed uninterruptedly. The transition to the one-way traffic takes time and effort," Sumadi stated here Friday.

The minister remarked that the one-way traffic scheme remains a mainstay to reduce traffic congestion during the Eid exodus when residents customarily return to their hometowns to celebrate the occasion with their families.

However, the decision to implement the scheme will rest with the Police's Traffic Corps that regulates one-way traffic during the Eid exodus and return flows, the minister remarked.

The minister also appealed to travelers to return to their residences on April 26-29 to avoid traffic congestion during the peak of the return period.

He noted that the Eid return traffic peak is projected to take place in two phases on April 24-25 and April 30-May 1.

Meanwhile, Central Java Police's Traffic Corps Director Senior Commissioner Agus Suryo Nugroho stated that apart from consuming less time and effort, the uninterrupted one-way traffic scheme will offer certainty to travelers.

"Residents who learnt that the one-way traffic (is ongoing) often ended up waiting at the toll gate entry before they can enter the toll road while the outgoing traffic is still high," Nugroho pointed out.

He cautioned that travelers would feel confused if the one-way traffic scheme is imposed intermittently.

"If there will be one-way traffic for two days, implement it uninterruptedly for the whole two days to prevent confusion among travelers," he remarked.

Earlier, the Transportation Ministry estimated that at least 123.8 million residents would return to their hometowns during this year's Eid exodus, an increase from 85 million in 2022.

Of the total projected travelers this year, 99.22 million are expected to travel by land, including 27.32 million residents by private car and 22.77 million by bus.

Related news: Some 362 thousand exodus train travelers departed from Jakarta: KAI
Related news: Highway fare discount provided during Eid return flow: Minister


Translator: Immanuel CS, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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