Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Thousands of vehicles clogged the roads leading to the popular tourist area of Puncak in Bogor, West Java, over the long Waisak holiday weekend, prompting police to implement a one-way traffic system to ease congestion.
The traffic spike began as vacationers took advantage of the Waisak holiday on Monday (May 12), the preceding weekend, and a joint leave day declared by the government. With the steady flow of vehicles from Jakarta heading into the Puncak, Bogor Police’s traffic unit (Satlantas) enforced a one-way scheme along the Puncak route starting early Sunday morning.
The worst congestion occurred at the Jagorawi toll exit toward Puncak on Sunday morning (May 11), where traffic was backed up for more than four hours. Police reported that approximately 100,000 vehicles were headed toward Puncak that day alone.
“Traffic volume, both ascending and descending, was estimated at around 100,000 vehicles,” said Iptu Ardian Novianto, Deputy Head of Bogor Police’s Traffic Unit, on Monday (May 12), as reported by Kumparan. The massive volume forced the police to extend the one-way flow toward Jakarta for up to 10 hours.
As traffic attempting to ascend to Puncak continued to pile up near the toll exit, motorists were forced to wait in long queues until the route was reopened. Gridlock persisted into Sunday night, with tailbacks stretching along the Jagorawi Toll Road toward Ciawi and Puncak. It wasn’t until midnight that traffic finally began to clear.
Read Also:
Jakarta Police Uncover ‘VCS’ Scams Operated by Siblings, Has Earned Over Rp100 Millions
On Monday (May 12), traffic conditions showed signs of relapsing, with authorities estimating an additional 4,000 vehicles would make their way toward Puncak throughout the day. In anticipation, the one-way system was reactivated from Jakarta toward Puncak early in the morning.
“The one-way flow from Jakarta to Puncak is already in effect,” Ardian confirmed, adding that traffic patterns are being monitored in real time and adjusted based on actual road conditions. “The implementation is situational. If the traffic heading up eases, we’ll reopen the road for two-way flow.”
Travelers planning to visit Puncak via the Jagorawi toll road were advised to plan their routes and travel times carefully to avoid extended delays.
(Raidi/Agung)
