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‘Jakarta-Bekasi traffic hell’ during Idul Fitri exodus must be anticipated
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Motorists slow down when passing a road in Kalimalang, East Jakarta, amid construction work. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak)
T
he government must prepare for traffic congestion along the Jakarta – Bekasi toll road during the Idul Fitri exodus, a police watchdog said on Tuesday.
The Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) said on Tuesday that the National Police and the Transportation Ministry had yet to take the necessary measures at toll gates in Jakarta and Bekasi, a satellite city near the capital that had become the main access point to neighboring provinces, ahead of the exodus to begin next week.
“Heavy traffic usually occurs at Jakarta exit toll gates due to bottlenecks, while many arterial roads are damaged,” IPW chairman Neta S. Pane said in a statement.
According to the IPW, Jakarta had four points of access to the arterial roads, namely in Pulogadung-Bekasi, Klender, Kasablanka and Kalimalang, all in East Jakarta, which were popular among motorcyclists during the exodus, however, none of the roads were ready to accommodate motorists.
“Ironically, no government official has surveyed the four areas. We are worried the damage roads are dangerous for Idul Fitri travelers,” Neta said.
Travelers will have to pass through Bekasi, while the toll road along Bekasi itself is “problematic” due to the light rail transit (LRT) project construction.
“Toll roads passing Bekasi will be definitely crowded, since all travelers from Jakarta will pass through the area. Thus, that may create a ‘Jakarta-Bekasi traffic hell’,” Neta said.
