Inp.polri.go.id - Semarang. The Central Java Regional Police has implemented traffic management strategies to manage the surge in holiday travel during Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024, following the Operation Lilin Candi 2023 Deployment Ceremony at Pancasila Field in Simpang Lima, Semarang, on Friday (23/12/23). "To initiate Operation Lilin Candi, we've conducted cross-sectoral meetings at local and provincial levels, undertaken pre-operational exercises, and today, we're conducting a deployment ceremony," said Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi, Chief of Central Java Regional Police. He said that a total of 15,250 personnel from the Indonesian Military, INP, and various stakeholders have been deployed to ensure the security of Christmas and New Year celebrations. "In response to the surge in traffic, the Kalikangkung Toll Road has experienced an increase, registering 26,000 vehicles passing through as of today. The anticipated peak on Saturday is estimated to reach 35,000 vehicles, marking a 143 percent surge compared to last year. This increase is attributed to the current more relaxed public activity, contrasting with the pandemic restrictions in the previous year," Chief Luthfie explained. He noted that traffic management teams on toll and north coastal roads have been set up at each police resort to prevent congestion, supported by quick response teams along every road segment. "Inspection posts have been established at 8 rest areas across Central Java to prevent visitor congestion. Beyond toll roads, functional homecoming routes include north coastal, northern, central, southern, and south coastal routes," he said. (ar/bg/hn/nm)