These eid-related traffic jams happen annually throughout the year. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Transportation, in 2024, congestion of the transportation flow might increase, with travelers predicted to reach 28.4 million people. This number has increased since last year which reached around 18.3 million people.

Urban Planning Expert representing the Regional and Urban Planning Research Group from the School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development of the Institut Teknologi Bandung (SAPPD ITB), Dr. I Gusti Ayu Andani, S.T., M.T., stated that ‘mudik’ is closely related to the process of urbanization. Urbanization happens when most of the population shifts from a rural area to a more developed one. It is also heavily influenced by big cities' centralization that attracts residents from different regions to find jobs and better economic opportunities in different areas.

This occurrence eventually leads to a cluster of rapid and uncontrolled population in urban areas that can put enormous strain on a city's infrastructure, including the transportation system.

"Mudik, on a large scale, adds pressure to the transportation system because now it must handle a much higher volume of people in a shorter time span," she said in a written statement on Thursday (4/4/2024).

The problem of economic differences in surrounding between regions may lead to a massive amount of migration to major cities, leaving some regions with little to no economic development and uneven infrastructure development.

During this holiday season, this polarity becomes more visible due to a larger volume of people traveling to rural areas. Major transportation routes connecting major cities with other regions are often congested because infrastructures in some regions are inadequate to handle the surge in travel volume.

The increase of urbanization flow can create larger social and economic disparities, both within cities and cross villages.

"Mudik can definitely raise awareness of these inequalities, as people are more aware of the differences they experience between the cities and their hometowns," she concluded.

Reporter: Anggun Nindita
Translator: Kezia Hosana
Editor: Ayesha Lativa Mafaza (Postharvest Technology, 2021)