RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is intensifying efforts to manage post-Eid return travel, particularly along the busy Sumatra–Java ferry crossing. The initiative aims to ensure that the return flow remains safe, smooth, and well controlled.

Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, announced the measures in Jakarta Sunday, March 22, 2026. The policy follows the successful handling of the peak outbound travel period during Eid.

The government is now shifting its focus to anticipating the surge in return travel in the coming days. Authorities expect high mobility as millions of people make their way back to major cities after the holiday.

Following a coordination meeting in Merak, the minister instructed all stakeholders to enhance their preparedness. He emphasized the importance of faster and more adaptive responses to evolving conditions in the field.

Several strategies have been prepared to support smoother operations. These include optimizing port capacity, accelerating loading and unloading processes, and preparing alternative routes to reduce congestion.

In addition, the government is strengthening the use of technology to monitor traffic conditions. Drones are being deployed to provide real-time surveillance and quickly identify potential queues at key points.

Authorities also stressed the importance of maintaining proper traffic management within port areas. Effective flow control is essential to prevent congestion from extending beyond port zones.

The government reiterated that safety remains the top priority during the return travel period. Lessons learned from the outbound phase will be used to improve policies and ensure a more efficient and secure journey for the public.