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Image: Melasti procession on Jalan Petitenget. Credit: Youtube.
Kerobokan Traditional Village will close four access roads, namely Jalan Raya Padang Luwih, Jalan Raya Kerobokan, Jalan Gunung Sanghyang, dan Jalan Raya Canggu on Wednesday (14/3). The closing of these main roads is to perform a series of Melasti Ceremonies to welcome Nyepi Saka 1940 Holy Day.
Customary Village Head of Kerobokan, Anak Agung Putu Sutarja, SH., confirmed to Bali Post on Monday (12/3) that he apologized to all road users for the inconvenience caused by the closure of the four access roads. “We apologize to the community of road users, because during the Melasti procession, some roads will be closed,” he said.
According to the head, alternative ways have been prepared that can be used while the ritual procession takes place. “We have prepared alternative roads when those main roads are closed. All vehicles will be directed to Jalan Raya Gadon, Jalan Semer, Pengubengan Kauh, Jalan Raya Kesambi, and Jalan Raya Gunung Soputan,” he explained.
Utilization of public facilities, said AA Sutarja has the permission of Polesta, Badung Police, and the local Transportation Department. “We have written and coordinated with related institutions how to regulate the traffic during the Melasti procession. We will also mobilize all the village pecalang to help the officers manage the traffic,” he explained.
The road closures will not last the full day, though. The four streets will be closed at certain hours in the morning and evening. “Road closures will begin at 9am and will be reopened after 12 noon, so not the full day. Road closures will also be made again at 2pm until 6pm,” he said.
The Melasti Ceremony will be performed by three customary villages, namely Padang Luwih village, Kerobokan village, Pakraman and Padang Sambian village. The ritual will bring 237 jempana (village processions) which are accompanied by thousands of people. “Melasti will be concentrated on Petitenget Beach, while the Tawur Agung Kesanga ceremony will be held at Catus Pata Kerobokan at 10am. For that, we apologize for the inconvenience,” he said.
Separately, the Head of the Traffic Division of the Badung Transportation Agency, Tofan Priyanto, said that they would mobilize all personnel to regulate the traffic flow. “Principally, we are ready to set up, control and secure traffic for all communities and users roads in the Badung region during the series of ceremonies before and after Nyepi,” he said.
