Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) have joined hands to deploy 1,558 security personnel to ensure security and safety at stations during the upcoming Idul Fitri festival.
Earlier, the Ministry of Transportation estimated that the peak of travelling will be on June 10-11, few days prior to the days of the festival on June 15 and 16.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said relevant agencies need to work together to increase security measures in train stations, as most people travel by train to return to their hometown for Idul Fitri each year.
The Indonesian Railway Company is estimated to serve more than four million people in the upcoming festival, up three percent against the figure of last year’s Idul Fitri. Train tickets during time of the holiday were sold out.
The Polri also devised a plan to mobilise 170,000 officers to ensure travelling during time of the festival. In addition, nearly 100 police dogs will be deployed to guard train stations and entrepots to prevent terror threats. Members of the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) in Central and West Java will also be mobilised if needed.
According to the Transportation Ministry, a large number of people will flock to the Trans-Java Toll Road, stretching from Jakarta to Surabaya in East Java.
From the earlier of this year, the Government has accelerated the constructions of four trans-Java roads in a bid to reduce traffic congestion, especially in peak time.-VNA