Bali Provincial Transportation Agency is improving several traffic lights along mudik routes. Mudik is an Indonesian tradition where millions journey back to their hometowns, especially during major holidays, to reunite with loved ones.
The improvement is to ensure more efficient traffic flow management. Public is urged to exercise caution. Some roads are still not fully prepared, and lighting in several areas remains suboptimal.
As reported by Detik.com, “We are still making some improvements, particularly to the traffic lights, so that traffic can be better controlled,” said Head of Bali Provincial Transportation Agency, I Gde Wayan Samsi Gunarta.
Improvement of Traffic Lights
Samsi also advised those planning to go on mudik to depart before March 28, 2025, as it is predicted that the peak of the mudik traffic will occur on that day, coinciding with Pengerupukan, the day before Nyepi.
“We recommend the public to leave earlier, before March 28, to avoid traffic congestion. On that day, in addition to the many travelers, there will also be the ogoh-ogoh procession and the Pengerupukan ceremony, which can affect the smoothness of traffic,” he added.
The main route to watch out for is the Denpasar-Gilimanuk Road, the main mudik route to Java. Dishub is also monitoring the route to Padangbai Port in Karangasem.
“The Mengwi-Gilimanuk route has the potential for high congestion. There is also a potential for congestion toward Padangbai, although so far, that route has been relatively smooth,” said Samsi.
Bali Provincial Transportation Agency has coordinated with Bali Police to ensure the readiness of transportation infrastructure, including adding land transport and ferry fleets if necessary.
State-Owned Ferry Company has also reported the number of vessels ready to operate and various scenarios that may occur during the mudik period.
Monitoring of mudik traffic will begin after the mass deployment briefing on March 20, with further checks on March 21. “We will continue to monitor the situation to keep traffic under control,” emphasized Samsi.
Meanwhile, based on public reports and field monitoring by officers, Karangasem Transportation Agency has also been repairing damaged street lighting along the mudik route.
“The repair of damaged street lightings along the main mudik routes, such as the Yeh Malet-Padangbai Port route, has been completed,” said Tjokorda Surya Darma, Head of Karangasem Transportation Agency.
Earlier this year, they repaired 303 damaged street lightings throughout Karangasem. “If the public encounters damaged or non-functional street lights, please report it to the Karangasem transportation agency for repairs,” he added.
Improvements on Mudik Routes
On the other hand, the Jembrana Transportation Agency has also monitored the mudik routes in its region.
I Gede Ariadi, Head of the Transportation Division at the Jembrana Department of Transportation, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries, confirmed that the street lighting on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk Road is in good condition, although there are still a few areas that need attention.
As reported by Radarbali, “Some lights in areas, such as the Tukadaya Bridge connecting the Negara and Melaya Subdistricts, have been out for several years and have not been replaced,” he said.
Regarding the cargo terminal in Gilimanuk, which will serve as a buffer zone for vehicles traveling to Java, the lighting in the parking area is ready, and only the installation of the lamps and network needs to be done.
Repairs to the mudik roads are also ongoing. I Made Mardita of Bali Provincial Public Works and Spatial Planning Unit reported that road repairs for potholes have reached 85% and are expected to be completed before the peak of the Lebaran mudik traffic.
Sources: Detik.com, RadarBali.
Feat Image: Suardika//KBRN via RRI