Jakarta. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has urged Eid al-Fitr travelers to avoid peak return traffic to Jakarta and surrounding areas, expected on March 24, as authorities brace for severe congestion.

Dudy said projections from toll operator Jasa Marga indicate that more than 285,000 vehicles will enter the Greater Jakarta area on that day — surpassing the outbound peak of 270,315 vehicles recorded on March 18.

“Based on data from the Jasa Marga Toll Road Command Center, the return traffic peak is expected on March 24,” Dudy said in a statement on Sunday. “We urge the public to travel back earlier on March 23 by utilizing the joint leave period, or later between March 25 and 27 by taking advantage of the government’s Work From Anywhere policy.”

National Police traffic corps chief Agus Suryonugroho warned of three periods of unusually high congestion: March 24, when workers return after the holiday, and March 28–29, when travelers are expected to use the weekend to head back to Jakarta.

“We predict these three days will be the peak of the 2026 Eid return flow. We urge the public to avoid these periods to ensure safe and comfortable travel,” Agus said.

To manage the surge, Jasa Marga has strengthened services across major toll roads, including optimizing toll gate operations, deploying additional road service units, and implementing situational traffic management measures, with personnel on standby around the clock.

The company’s Toll Road Command Center is using real-time traffic monitoring technology to support rapid decision-making, while providing updates through the Travoy mobile app, Call Center 133, and Travoy FM radio to help motorists plan their journeys.

Jasa Marga President Director Rivan A. Purwantono also announced a 30% toll discount on selected routes during the return period on March 26–27, covering nine toll road sections.

Meanwhile, heavy trucks will remain banned from toll roads until March 29 to ease congestion during the peak holiday travel period.