Denpasar. Operations on Bali’s Mandara Toll Road, Indonesia’s first overwater toll road, will be suspended for 32 hours during Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence.

State-owned toll operator Jasa Marga said the road will be fully closed starting at 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday, March 18, as part of efforts to respect Nyepi, which marks the Balinese Hindu New Year, Saka 1948.

The toll road is scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. on Friday, March 20, following the completion of island-wide observances.

Stretching 12.7 kilometers, the Bali Mandara Toll Road connects key areas including Ngurah Rai, Nusa Dua and Benoa, serving as a vital transport link across the island. Operator Jasamarga Bali Tol recorded approximately 14.9 million vehicles passing through the road between January and September 2025, or an average of about 55,000 vehicles per day.

The temporary closure is aimed at minimizing movement during Nyepi, when all activities on the island come to a halt to allow for reflection and spiritual observance.

Authorities have urged motorists to monitor official updates regarding the reopening schedule.

Despite the full closure, limited access will be granted for emergency purposes. Ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles responding to urgent situations will be allowed to pass under strict supervision.

“The toll road remains accessible for emergency purposes,” Jasa Marga said in a statement posted on its official social media account on Tuesday.

Emergency vehicles must be accompanied by pecalang, Bali’s traditional security officers, or relevant authorities to ensure compliance with local customs during Nyepi.

During the 32-hour closure, toll operators will deploy personnel at key points to maintain readiness for emergencies and to safeguard infrastructure.

The annual shutdown of the Bali Mandara Toll Road has become a routine measure to preserve the solemnity of Nyepi, particularly during the observance of Catur Brata Penyepian, and to support the protection of Bali’s cultural traditions.

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