{
  "id": 17549329,
  "title": "Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands, Tuas checkpoints during Deepavali long weekend",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/heavy-traffic-expected-at-woodlands-tuas-checkpoints-during-deepavali",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-01T06:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/heavy-traffic-expected-at-woodlands-tuas-checkpoints-during-deepavali-long-weekend"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Travellers preparing to enter Malaysia during the Deepavali long weekend may face significant traffic congestion and extended wait times at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, according to a recent advisory from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The advisory, issued on November 1, encourages travelers to plan their journey in advance and consider traveling during non-peak hours between November 6 and November 9, as Deepavali, which falls on Sunday, November 8, is a public holiday in 2026.\n\nICAsaid that travelers should verify the traffic conditions at both checkpoints before commencing their journey. The heightened security measures implemented since February 28, prompted by global security concerns, particularly recent events in the Middle East, are likely contributing to the anticipated delays. During the recent school holidays from September 4 to 14, over 6.1 million travelers crossed the two checkpoints, with a peak of more than 599,000 crossings on September 4, setting a new single-day record that surpassed the previous high of over 598,000 crossings on June 19.\n\nCar drivers opting to travel during peak hours, such as early mornings and late evenings, can expect to face wait times of up to three hours for immigration clearance, ICA emphasized. The public is also cautioned that penalties will be enforced against those who disobey officers' instructions or violate traffic regulations at the checkpoints.",
  "summary": "A single-day record of 599,000 travellers was set on Sept 4 during the recent school holidays.",
  "key_points": [
    "Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints during Deepavali long weekend.",
    "ICA advises travelers to plan ahead and consider non-peak hours for travel.",
    "Security measures since February 28 likely contributing to anticipated delays."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Heightened security measures combined with record-breaking holiday travel volumes transform the upcoming long weekend into a period of significant logistical strain for commuters crossing the Singapore-Malaysia border.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}