Traffic swells at checkpoints as Singaporeans return home

JOHOR BARU: Two exit points heading into Singapore recorded heavy traffic as many Singaporeans returned home after a long weekend, starting with the island republic’s national day celebrations on Friday and then Hari Raya Haji.

Motorists crowded roads leading to the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex here.

There was slow-moving traffic for many hours.

Among the major roads that recorded congestion were the Eastern Dispersal Link and Jalan Lingkaran Dalam heading towards the CIQ.

Johor Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief Supt M. Kumarasan said many Singaporeans were returning home after a four-day holiday.

“We have enough manpower to ensure smooth traffic for those who use the Causeway and Second Link to return to Singapore, ” he said yesterday.

Supt Kumar said the impatience of the motorists was the main reason for the congestion, as some of them would cut the queue.

Roads leading to the Causeway here and Second Link had been congested since Sunday, he added.

“Johor police did not receive any complaints from road users about the traffic situation on roads within the country’s exit points, but we are aware of the matter.

“We have increased the number of traffic police on duty at strategic locations around the CIQ and Second Link, ” he said.

He also said motorists should always plan their journey to avoid being caught in bad traffic.

Source: TheStar