Hari Raya exodus: Bangi resident spends 13 hours on the road returning to Terengganu

KUALA TERENGGANU: Travellers returning to Terengganu for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations have shared their experiences of traffic congestion encountered during their journeys with Sinar Harian.

A check by the Malay language daily at the Kuala Terengganu Toll Plaza revealed slow-moving traffic due to a significant increase in the number of vehicles on Saturday (March 29).

ALSO READ: Hari Raya exodus: Rise in outbound traffic reported, congestion builds up

One traveller, Khairul Azwan Japilos, 30, said he faced severe congestion since starting his journey from Bangi.

“The traffic was already congested from Bangi all the way here (Terengganu). I don’t know how many times we’ve stopped. I left at 11pm and have now been on the road for 13 hours,” he said when met by reporters on Saturday afternoon.

Another traveller, Ruzainu Che Mat, 40, who was on his way to Kuala Krai, said the traffic on the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2) was still smooth, but he received information that the road in Permasuri (Setiu) was heavily congested.

“I left Johor Baru at 5.30am and arrived in Kuala Terengganu at around 1.30pm, taking approximately seven to eight hours. The weather was also good and not too hot,” he told Sinar Harian.

ALSO READ: Aidilfitri: Be considerate on the road, avoid aggressive driving, says Ahmad Zahid

It is understood that more than 55,000 vehicles have used the LPT2 since Friday (March 28) to return home for the Aidilfitri celebrations.

LPT2 regional manager Mohamad Pazli Kasim said this number indicates a 150% increase, with the highest traffic flow towards northern Terengganu.

“It is expected that the number of vehicles will increase to 70,000 by late tonight.

“Currently, traffic is moving slowly from Cukai to Kerteh, Kerteh to Dungun, Paka to Bukit Besi, and Ajil to Kuala Terengganu,” he said.

He added that to reduce congestion, LPT2 has opened an additional lane at the Kuala Terengganu Toll Plaza near Bukit Gemuruh and added mobile Touch ‘n Go (TnG) counters.

He advised the public to plan their journeys to avoid congestion on the highway.