MIRI: Traffic congestion in the city and at the Sarawak-Brunei border has worsened as people rush home for the festive season.
A check by Sarawak Tribune since Thursday revealed long queues of vehicles at the Sungai Tujoh Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) checkpoint, as many travellers make their way back to their hometowns, including yesterday.
The congestion began as early as at 2 pm, with traffic building up steadily throughout the evening.
This year, Hari Raya is expected to fall on March 31, prompting an early start to the mass movement of people, especially those working in Brunei who are returning home to celebrate with their families in Sarawak.
Aside from the heavy traffic at the border, congestion was also reported along roads near popular shopping locations.
One of the most crowded areas was near a shopping mart in Tudan, where vehicles lined up as shoppers made last-minute purchases before continuing their journey home.
Within the city centre, several major roads experienced significant traffic jams as large crowds thronged shops to stock up on groceries and festive essentials.
Roads such as Jalan Bintang, North Yu Seng Road and Kingsway Road were packed with vehicles, making movement slow and challenging.
Local authorities have advised motorists to plan their journeys in advance and to be patient on the road, as the traffic situation is expected to remain heavy leading up to Hari Raya.
