Indonesia ensures smooth transportation during Idul Fitri festival

Jakarta celebrates Idul Fitri Festival (Photo: VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) - Transportation was handled well in Indonesia during the Muslim Idul Fitri festival from June 24 to July 3 when many migrant workers return to their homes.

Ellen Sophie Wulan Tangkudung of the Univeristy of Indonesia said congestion was not severe, adding that the Ministry of Transportation coordinated with stakeholders to ensure a smooth festival. 

However, the Indonesian Transportation Community Honorary Council suggested that the government should pay more attention to travel outside Java island, including Sulawesi, Sumartra and Kalimantan.

The government should provide more travel services for people heading to their hometown via land, sea and air, the Council added.

Most Indonesian Muslims head home for family reunions during Idul Fitri festival. The number of homebound travelers this year was estimated to exceed 19 million, up from 17.7 million in 2016. More than 170,000 policemen were deployed to ensure safety during the exodus from June 19 to July 4.

During Idul Fitri 2016, Indonesia experienced traffic jams lasting three-days in Central Java province, causing 18 deaths. -VNA