Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi attributed the smooth running of the 2022 Eid al-Fitr homecoming exodus (mudik) to the collaboration of all stakeholders.

“Collaboration is essential. Coordination between stakeholders and synergy between the central government and regional governments were effective in reducing traffic congestion during the exodus (period),” he noted during a working meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Monday.

Sumadi remarked that in general, the 2022 Eid homecoming exodus was conducted smoothly, in order, under control, and in accordance with strict COVID-19 health protocols.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Transportation, as the coordinator of the implementation of the exodus, continued to coordinate and collaborate with stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, State-owned Enterprises, National Police (Polri), Indonesian Military (TNI), Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), regional governments, and mass media.

“Synergy cannot be taken lightly. It is a must. Therefore, we really appreciate it,” he stressed.

Apart from the collaboration and coordination, he pointed out that traffic management implemented during the exodus had also helped to handle transportation-related issues.

In the land transportation sector, traffic engineering, such as contraflow, one-way policy, and the odd-even system, run smoothly through the police’s discretion.

Moreover, the ministry continually monitors the movement of people using sea, air, and rail transportation modes during the Eid exodus period.

He remarked that the free transportation program for the exodus had also helped to reduce the number of traffic accidents.

To this end, the ministry is planning to increase funding for the free transportation program for the Eid exodus in the following years and boost people’s participation in the program.

Source: Antara News