There was a time when Guwahati’s streets were lined with police personnel every night, especially on weekends and festive occasions. Sobriety tests, vehicle checks, and strict monitoring were a common sight. While these measures did not entirely eliminate road accidents, they certainly helped in keeping reckless driving under some control.
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However, recent instances suggest that such vigilance has significantly declined, raising concerns about road safety, particularly during major celebrations like Holi.
Residents across Guwahati have voiced their concerns over the apparent lack of strict checking by the police during the recent Holi celebrations. Many observed an increase in rash driving, public intoxication, and a general disregard for road safety.
“I remember it was around 11 AM on Holi when I was passing through Ulubari Chariali,” said Bitupan, a resident of Ulubari. “I saw a group of boys and girls standing next to their motorcycles, openly drinking by the side of the main road. There were no traffic police personnel present at that moment, which was quite surprising given that Holi is a festival when people tend to indulge in reckless behaviour.”
Another resident, Subhojit from Tetelia, shared a similar concern. “There was little to no checking on Holi. I saw several vehicles, both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, being driven rashly. Some people had opened their car sunroofs and were hanging out in an inebriated state. It was quite dangerous, but there was no one to stop them,” he said.
He further narrated a personal experience from that day. “I was out with my wife in the car when a bike suddenly appeared out of nowhere, cutting dangerously across my path. Instead of realising their mistake, the two riders started shouting at me. It was clear that they were under the influence, yet no one was there to monitor such reckless behavior.”
Following most festive occasions, be it Holi or others, Guwahati's streets at night are often littered with empty alcohol bottles—a testament to the unchecked public drinking.
Speaking to GPlus, a source from the city police admitted that Holi celebrations saw fewer personnel deployed in Guwahati due to other commitments. “Many officers were not in town during Holi. A significant number of them had been assigned duties elsewhere for an event,” said the source.
Additionally, the officer revealed that vehicle checks had been intentionally reduced. “We have been asked to scale down checking operations. This might be one of the reasons why there was little visible police presence in the city during Holi. Also, we are often stretched thin. We have a limited number of officials, and we cannot control everyone all the time,” he added.
However, he also emphasised that public responsibility plays a crucial role in maintaining road safety. “It is not just about police presence. The public also has a duty to be responsible. People need to understand that drinking and driving is not just illegal—it can be fatal. Celebrating a festival should not come at the cost of someone’s life,” he said.
While official accident reports from Holi were not released, instances of reckless driving were widely reported across the city. Videos and photos circulating on social media showed groups of young people riding bikes without helmets, performing stunts on busy roads, and engaging in public drinking.
Areas like GS Road, Zoo Road, and Beltola, known for high traffic movement, saw bikers speeding through narrow lanes, often with three to four people crammed onto a single vehicle. Several citizens took to social media to report such incidents and expressed frustration over the lack of police action.
Road accidents in Guwahati have been on the rise, with multiple incidents reported in the past week alone. Between March 21 and 23, at least five accidents were recorded, four of which proved fatal, leaving several others injured. Most of these accidents involved two-wheelers, with rash driving, not wearing helmets, and ignoring traffic rules emerging as major contributing factors.
This alarming trend is not new. During New Year’s Eve, over 30 road accidents were reported in the city, resulting in two fatalities. These numbers reflect only the officially recorded cases, hinting at an even larger issue that remains undocumented.
In past years, ahead of major festivities, the police would issue warnings about increased checking. Vehicle owners were required to carry necessary documents, avoid drinking and driving, and strictly follow traffic rules.
Festivals are meant to be a time of joy and celebration, but without proper vigilance, they can quickly turn into tragic events. The question remains—will Guwahati once again see strict traffic enforcement, or will reckless driving continue unchecked? Only time will tell.
