World · Singapore Bureau
Singapore-Malaysia border braces for Deepavali holiday congestion
Authorities are warning travellers to expect heavy traffic at land checkpoints between Singapore and Malaysia during the Deepavali long weekend. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has urged commuters to plan ahead and avoid peak travel periods.
LSN Singapore ·
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has issued a travel advisory ahead of the Deepavali festivities, cautioning users of the Singapore-Malaysia land borders to prepare for significant congestion from November 6 to November 9.
As the Hindu festival attracts both local and cross-border travellers, checkpoint facilities are expected to experience elevated traffic volumes during the extended weekend. The ICA recommends that commuters plan their journeys in advance to minimise delays and inconvenience.
Travellers are encouraged to use non-peak hours for their crossings to ease congestion at the land checkpoints. The advisory underscores the importance of allowing extra travel time during the festive period, particularly during morning and evening rush hours when traffic volumes typically surge.
Singapore's land borders with Malaysia, primarily at the Causeway and the Second Link, serve as major transit points for residents travelling between the two countries. Deepavali, celebrated across the region, traditionally sees increased cross-border movement as people visit family and participate in festivities on both sides of the causeway.