‘Horror’ 14-hour long traffic jam: Residents in Indonesia’s West Java aghast at ‘worst’ gridlock amid holiday rush

BOGOR, Indonesia: In what some local residents tout as the “worst” traffic congestion they had experienced, holiday-goers in the mountainous region of Puncak in Indonesia’s West Java province got more than they bargained for when they found themselves stuck on the road for upwards of 14 hours. 

The “horror” gridlock – as coined by Indonesian media – occurred over the long weekend ending on Monday (Sep 16) to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. It was a public holiday in Indonesia. 

Photos widely shared on social media showed vehicles bumper to bumper even as motorists turned off their engines and got out to sit or sleep by the roadside, some with sleeping bags in hand. 

“We are used to the Puncak traffic jam. But usually it subsides after a few hours. Now I am stuck for about 14 hours. From yesterday afternoon until this morning,” one resident who identified himself as Ade told news outlet Detik on Sep 16. 

Another resident named Yuli said it was the “first time in her life” to be caught in traffic for such an extended period of time. In a TikTok post that has since gone viral with over two million views, Ms Yuli said she was stuck in the Puncak traffic congestion from 10am on Sep 15 while on her way to Taman Safari, a famous zoo in Bogor.

“2am (and) still not moving … 3 am,” said Yuli, who continued to be stuck in the congestion until the morning of Sep 16 and finally cancelled her outing to the zoo. 

Commenting on Ms Yuli’s post, another Puncak resident claimed that “Sep 15 was the worst traffic jam in the history of Puncak”.

Citing the police, local media reported on Sep 16 that there were a total of 140,000 vehicles crossing the Puncak area, double the maximum number that the two-way road in the area can accommodate.