S

evere traffic congestion has become as much a part of the yearly Idul Fitri ritual as the exodus of people to their hometowns.

This is especially the case along the major north coast Java highway from Indramayu to Cirebon, due
to the presence of a number of traditional markets spilling over onto the road.

The busy markets obstruct the home-bound traffic from Jakarta to a number of cities in West, Central and East Java. Adding to the chaos, markets usually explode with extra vendors taking advantage of spendthrift patrons around Idul Fitri.

Sixteen problem markets have been identified along the Indramayu-Cirebon highway.

Congestion is usually triggered by vendors selling their wares right up at the roadside, which slows traffic creating a bottleneck effect.

Ten of the spillover markets are located in Indramayu regency, scattered in Sukra, Patrol, Bugel, Bangkir, Eretan, Cilet, Parean, Jatibarang, Kertasemaya and Karang Ampel.

The six other markets in Cirebon regency are in Tegalgubug, Arjawinangun, Palimanan, Plered, Celancang, Gebang and Losari.

In previous years, traffic has been known to snarl back 5 kilometers due to congestion at markets. One extraordinary jam was reported at Tegalgubug textile market in Cirebon last year, where 15 kilometers of traffic was held up three days ahead of Idul Fitri.

“Traffic could back up between 5 and 10 kilometers at markets. I am often trapped in traffic jams at the markets each year,” said truck driver, Usep, 45.

Cirebon Regent Dedi Supardi said his office would deploy personnel from the Public Order Agency to secure markets and discipline traders during the exodus.

“We have prepared 200 personnel to anticipate congestion at the markets,” he said.

Cirebon regency police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Edi Mardianto said congestion was inevitable because the traditional markets dotted the heavily used Indramayu-Cirebon stretch of the north coast Java highway connecting Jakarta, West Java and Central Java.

“During the exodus, the prospect of traffic congestion at the markets is high,” he said, adding that they would deploy hundreds of security personnel at the spillover markets to help ease traffic.