The surge in travelers leads to South Sulawesi, Minister of Transportation Dudy prepares an anti-density strategy

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi has prepared a number of strategies to anticipate congestion following the prediction of a surge in travelers leading to South Sulawesi during the 2026 Lebaran transportation period.

The province is projected to become one of the favorite origin and destination areas for travelers as well as the main gateway to eastern Indonesia.

The strategy was discussed in a coordination meeting between the Ministry of Transportation and the Governor of South Sulawesi Andi Sudirman Sulaiman at the South Sulawesi Governor's Office, Makassar, Friday, February 27.

"South Sulawesi has a very strategic role as the main gateway to East Indonesia. As a region that has a key role in the national transportation system, readiness, collaboration, and common perceptions are needed between the central and regional governments in facing the Lebaran homecoming flow," said Dudy in an official statement, Friday, February 27.

Based on a survey by the Transportation Policy Agency (BKT), South Sulawesi was recorded as the sixth largest origin region for travelers with an estimated movement of 2.7 percent or around 3.92 million people. Meanwhile, as a destination, South Sulawesi is in the top five with a potential movement of 3.40 percent or around 5.36 million people.

The surge is expected to have a direct impact on a number of major transportation nodes in Makassar, especially the Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport and the Soekarno-Hatta Makassar Port.

From the survey results, Sultan Hasanuddin Airport is in the top five of the most crowded national airports and destinations. It is estimated that as many as 10.20 percent or 508,270 people will depart from the airport, while 12.60 percent or 627,860 people make it their destination.

Meanwhile, the Makassar Soekarno-Hatta Port is predicted to be the second most crowded port of origin and destination nationally. A total of 14.50 percent or 134,280 people are estimated to depart from the port, and 16.30 percent or 150,590 passengers will arrive at the same location.

"It is necessary to anticipate the density at airports and ports in South Sulawesi. Among others, with traffic management, arranging the entry and exit of vehicles, to providing continued transportation or feeders," said Dudy.

To reduce traffic density and reduce the use of private vehicles, the Ministry of Transportation has again held a Free Homecoming program. South Sulawesi is one of the provinces that are free to return home using a sea vessel with four routes, namely Batulicin-Makassar, Balikpapan-Parepare, Siwa-Tobaku, and Tobaku-Siwa.

In addition to transportation nodes, Dudy also reminded the need to anticipate congestion at a number of vulnerable points, such as the overflow market in Poros Pallangga (Gowa), Mandai Market (Maros), Tompo Market (Barru), and a number of traditional markets in Makassar.

Density is also predicted to occur in the South Sulawesi tourist area starting from H+1 Lebaran, including Puncak Malino (Gowa), Tanjung Bira (Bulukumba), and Losari Beach (Makassar).

Minister of Transportation Dudy also encouraged the optimization of mosques as a place of rest for travelers or supporting rest areas. He emphasized the importance of readiness of facilities, ranging from parking areas, clean water, sanitation, rest rooms, to vehicle flow arrangements. It is recorded that there are 307 mosques in South Sulawesi that can be used as rest areas.

Closing the coordination, the Minister of Transportation asked all stakeholders to strengthen synergy with the South Sulawesi Provincial Government in mitigating and handling disaster-prone points through the optimization of the role of the Kemenhub UPT in various regions.

"With the character of South Sulawesi as the main transportation node, supported by the airport as a regional hub of East Indonesia, strategic seaports, and cross-road networks, strong synergy is the key. We are optimistic that the mobility service for people during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming can run safely and comfortably," said Dudy.