SURABAYA, KOMPAS.com – In response to severe traffic congestion stretching up to 40 kilometers towards Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java Regional Police (Polda Jatim) have implemented buffer zones to alleviate the bottleneck.
The Traffic Directorate (Ditlantas) of Polda Jatim has deployed officers from the Banyuwangi Police and patrol units (PJR) to work in collaboration with the East Java Provincial Government in managing the extensive traffic jam.
The congestion, which occurred the previous week, was particularly severe, reaching a staggering 40 kilometers. A significant portion of the vehicles queuing were trucks destined for Ketapang Port.
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According to Director of Traffic for Polda Jatim, Kombes Pol Iwan Saktiadi, the traffic congestion stemmed from new assessments implemented following the sinking of the KMP Tuju Pratama Jaya in early July.
These assessments led to a reduction in the number of operating ferries from the usual 20 per day to just six, due to stricter capacity regulations. This reduction has subsequently caused delays in crossings between Ketapang and Gilimanuk, and vice versa.
“Our priority remains to deploy officers, even though the cause is a shortage of vessels at ASDP serving the crossing,” said Iwan on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
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To combat the congestion along the Situbondo-Banyuwangi route, authorities established buffer zones at strategic points to temporarily hold vehicles awaiting their turn to cross.
“We sent reinforcements (BKO) from Polda, including PJR personnel, to assist our Banyuwangi colleagues in controlling and serving the public who are waiting to cross, who are hampered by the limited transport capacity,” he concluded.
Ringkasan
East Java Regional Police have implemented buffer zones to alleviate severe traffic congestion, reaching up to 40 kilometers, towards Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi. The congestion resulted from new assessments and reduced ferry operations following the sinking of KMP Tuju Pratama Jaya, leading to delays in crossings between Ketapang and Gilimanuk.
The Traffic Directorate of Polda Jatim has deployed officers and patrol units in collaboration with the East Java Provincial Government to manage the extensive traffic jam. Buffer zones have been established along the Situbondo-Banyuwangi route to temporarily hold vehicles awaiting their turn to cross, while reinforcements were sent to assist in controlling and serving the public.