As the festive lights of Deepavali brighten spirits, travelers planning to cross the Singapore-Malaysia land borders are cautioned to brace for “very heavy traffic.” The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore has issued an advisory ahead of the Deepavali holiday, alerting those venturing to Malaysia to anticipate substantial delays at both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints.
Peak Traffic and Security Measures
The convergence of the Deepavali holiday on Sunday and the commencement of year-end school vacations are expected to exacerbate congestion from Thursday until November 14. In light of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the ICA has also amplified security measures at the checkpoints. The conflict, which erupted on October 7th following an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, has resulted in significant casualties and hostages, prompting retaliatory actions from Israel.
Navigating the Traffic
Motorists are encouraged to leverage digital resources such as the Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring website or the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System on the Bukit Timah and Ayer Rajah expressways for real-time traffic updates. Social media platforms, including the ICA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, alongside local radio broadcasts, will provide timely advisories on traffic conditions.
Traffic Discipline and Regulations
The ICA emphasizes the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, maintaining lane discipline, and cooperating with officers. Those flouting the rules, such as queue-cutting, will face consequences, including being turned away to re-queue, as evidenced by an incident involving four sports cars in October.
Travel Document Advisory
In addition to traffic-related guidance, the ICA reminds travelers to ensure their passports have a minimum validity of six months. Specific requirements are outlined for Singapore permanent residents and long-term pass holders regarding passport renewals and updates on passport particulars.
Record-Breaking Traffic in the Past
Reflecting on the Children’s Day weekend in October, the ICA reported an unprecedented volume of over 1.27 million travelers using the land checkpoints, with departures constituting over half of the crossings. At peak times, motorists endured clearance delays of up to three hours.
As Deepavali ushers in a time of joy and celebration, those crossing the Singapore-Malaysia land borders are urged to plan ahead, exercise patience, and remain vigilant to ensure a safe and smooth journey during this festive season.
Learn about Deepavali: A Festive Beacon of Light and Tradition.
