Penang: Penang police estimate that over 2.4 million vehicles will enter the state during this year’s Chinese New Year holidays.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad stated that, on average, around 200,000 vehicles are expected to travel in and out of the state daily, with the volume increasing as the Chinese New Year celebration approaches on January 29. Hamzah highlighted that the traffic volume is expected to reach its peak beginning next week. The police have identified eight ‘blackspot’ areas where accidents frequently occur in Penang.
The identified areas include Jalan Air Itam Paya Terubong and Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong in the Northeast district, alongside Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Jalan Tun Dr Awang in the Southwest district. In Seberang Perai Utara, the blackspot areas are Jalan Teluk Air Tawar to Jalan Bagan Luar, Jalan Perusahaan Perai and the North-South Expressway in Seberang Perai Tengah, and Jalan Besar Simpang Ampat in Seberang Perai Selatan.
Hamzah indicated that police officers will be stationed at these ‘blackspots’ and other high-traffic hot spots to manage vehicle flow around the clock. Meanwhile, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has launched a school holiday operation (Ops Cuti Sekolah), focusing on enforcement and traffic control at key tourist and high-traffic areas to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Among the traffic management initiatives are ‘Ops Payung’ and the use of closed-circuit cameras as ‘Intelligent Eyes’ to monitor and report congestion points, allowing officers to be promptly deployed. A 24-hour maintenance team will also be on standby to address any arising issues.
MBPP has activated Ops Payung at several key focal locations. On Penang Road, the operation runs from 11 am to 5 pm from January 18 to February 16, while at Bukit Bendera, the operation covers two areas from 12 pm to 6 pm from January 25 to February 16. In Ayer Itam, the operation will commence from 4 pm to 11 pm from January 29 to February 5.
Shafiz Rahim Raja, acting chairman of the MBPP Enforcement and Public Education Permanent Committee, stated that MBPP has implemented a road closure for the entry lane from Lebuh Light to Jalan Padang Kota Lama (facing Town Hall) starting from 6 pm daily, from January 18 to February 16, to ensure smooth vehicle flow exiting Padang Kota.
Additionally, MBPP, the police, and the Road Transport Department are conducting patrols and traffic management in other areas prone to congestion during the school holiday season, such as Persiaran Gurney, Pulau Tikus, areas around Komtar, and Persiaran Bayan Indah (Queensbay Mall).