I wouldn’t trade living in Guwahati for any other place in the world, while I watch its transitional growth.
However, the city struggles with increasing traffic congestion, which has steadily worsened over the past few decades. A traffic survey by the Assam Police revealed that 389,458 vehicles were registered in the city between 2014 and 2024. This surge in vehicles has led to increased road traffic issues, impacting commuters in buses, cars, bikes, and other private vehicles. As someone who loves Guwahati, I am deeply concerned about how drivers and bikers treat pedestrians, the limited time for pedestrians to cross at intersections, and the lack of pedestrian crossings in certain areas.
One of the primary causes of traffic jams in Guwahati is the lack of lane discipline. Vehicles often attempt to overtake or change lanes without following proper lane discipline, leading to traffic halts. Lane discipline requires traffic to stay in the left lane for slower movement and use the right lane for faster movement, but this is rarely observed. Drivers and motorcyclists frequently enter "No Entry" zones, particularly in areas like Fancy Bazar, causing jams. The Beltola Tiniali region is notorious for weak traffic control and poor lane discipline, a situation also prevalent in Paltan Bazar and Zoo Road.
Traffic signals govern many driveways in Guwahati, but their effectiveness is undermined by incorrect usage. Poorly timed traffic signals contribute to driver confusion and are caused by equipment failure, a lack of traffic experts, and outdated traffic analyses. Although traffic lights at intersections and zebra crossings are meant to facilitate smooth traffic flow, many drivers rush and ignore stop signs. Additionally, vehicles often fail to yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings, and drivers frequently make illegal U-turns. The Six-Mile stretch and Beltola Tiniali point are particularly affected by these issues.
Vehicle speeds and safety precautions for pedestrians are inadequately addressed in Guwahati. Vehicle operators often fail to take necessary precautions or use horns to warn pedestrians. Drivers rarely adhere to speed limits, and they often fail to stop for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections, causing severe traffic bottlenecks.
I have observed that despite frequent modifications to fines for traffic violations, enforcement remains inconsistent. Although stricter traffic laws were introduced, including fines for disobeying traffic lights and not wearing helmets or seat belts, they were only enforced for a short period. Inconsistent enforcement can be observed, for example, near the Ganeshguri flyover and Basistha Chariali. Traffic control authorities also fail to monitor violations such as illegal U-turns especially near the Secretariat, on top of the Chandmari fly-over and in several pockets across the city.
Traffic control personnel often ignore fundamental driving laws, including those against illegal parking, disobeying traffic laws, driving without a valid license, rash driving, and operating vehicles while intoxicated, which are done occasionally. I have noticed that minimal efforts have been made to reduce traffic congestion in areas like Maligaon, Ulubari, and G.S. Road.
Guwahati's crowded walkways and roadways pose significant challenges for pedestrians. The inaccessibility of proper footpaths often forces pedestrians to navigate through traffic.
Many people in Guwahati walk, but they face issues such as inaccessible crosswalks, zebra crossings, footpath encroachments, and on-street parking. Unplanned and poorly maintained pedestrian infrastructure further exacerbates these problems.
Footpaths in Guwahati are often too narrow, and they are frequently uneven, crooked, and obstructed. Many walkways are constructed above drains, increasing the risk of collapse.
Motorbikes frequently use footpaths, endangering pedestrians. The lack of barriers on most footpaths allows bikers to pass through or park, greatly inconveniencing pedestrians, in most of the area across the city. Street vendors also occupy walkways, blocking pedestrian access. I have observed and made videos on bikers using footpaths to bypass traffic, endangering pedestrians, including children and the elderly, while they honk at them to give them the way. And the pedestrians, without a word, let them pass. The noise and recklessness of these bikers create a hostile environment for those trying to walk. While creating videos of these bikers, I have asked them simple questions, “Do you know that this is a footpath? Do you know how to spell the word footpath? Do you know that a footpath is called a sidewalk or pedestrian walk elsewhere across the globe?” Apart from glaring and mumbling some expletives, they decide to turn around and leave, while telling me, “You should give this gyan to everyone. Why only me?” To this, I say, “I say this to everyone who breaks the rules against the pedestrians!” I have sent numerous videos of these bikers to the police department requesting them to take action. I reiterate that the authorities' failure to consistently enforce traffic rules, especially for the man who walks, only exacerbates the problem for pedestrians.
Though a number of footbridges have been constructed over the years in Guwahati, they are often in deplorable conditions. Many of these footbridges are not used frequently by the pedestrians as they are unclean and home to some homeless people who also use them as their toilets. These newly constructed pedestrian bridges, meant to provide safe passage, are often avoided due to poor maintenance. My personal experience in the year 2023 left me stunned. At around 8pm, I wanted to cross the busy street before reaching Ulubari through a footbridge when the traffic policeman advised me not to, saying it might be unsafe to do so. I crossed over while waiting for oncoming cars to stop.
Parking cars and bikes on footpaths is a significant issue in innumerable places across the city and my observation is that these people have absolutely no empathy for the pedestrian.
When questioned they would answer with a question, “What is your problem? Where should I park my car if not here?””
I feel my city of Guwahati has marked disregard for pedestrian safety. Improper use of traffic signal lights and technological issues cause confusion for pedestrians. Some drivers fail to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings, and high vehicle speeds pose a significant safety risk. Drivers often neglect to take necessary safety precautions or provide warnings. Many drivers do not stop at intersections to allow pedestrians to cross. Trash on sidewalks and in pedestrian areas is another common problem, not just in Paltan Bazar and Fancy Bazar, but also in similar other areas, forcing pedestrians to navigate around the debris.
As a resident of Guwahati, I have personally witnessed and experienced the issues regarding pedestrians. The lack of consideration for pedestrians is appalling. Drivers often speed through intersections, seemingly oblivious to those on foot. The limited time allocated for pedestrian crossings at traffic signals is a major concern, especially for the elderly and those with mobility issues. In some areas, there are no designated pedestrian crossings, forcing people to risk their lives by crossing busy roads or climbing over fenced dividers.
To address these issues and improve traffic and pedestrian safety in Guwahati, I feel that the following measures are essential:
1. Deploy traffic police at regular intervals and install speed detectors and cameras to enforce lane discipline.
2. Ensure that traffic signals are properly timed and maintained to facilitate smooth traffic flow. Regularly update traffic analyses to reflect current conditions.
3. Implement and Enforce Pedestrian Laws. Enforce stricter penalties for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians or violate speed limits. Increase awareness campaigns to educate drivers about pedestrian safety.
4. Consistently enforce traffic laws, including fines for traffic violations, and ensure that traffic control authorities properly monitor and address violations.
5. Educate traffic control personnel on basic driving laws and ensure they are vigilant in enforcing these rules.
6. Construct and maintain proper footpaths with adequate width and even surfaces. Ensure that footpaths are free from encroachments and obstacles.
7. Regularly maintain footbridges to ensure they are safe and clean for public use. Implement measures to prevent homeless individuals from residing on these bridges.
8. Install more zebra crossings at intersections and ensure that drivers respect pedestrian rights. Increase the time allocated for pedestrian crossings at traffic signals.
9. Implement speed limits and enforce them strictly, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic. Use speed bumps and other traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds.
10. Enforce parking regulations to prevent vehicles from parking on footpaths and pedestrian crossings. Provide designated parking areas to reduce illegal parking.
11. Encourage the use of public transportation to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Improve the efficiency and accessibility of public transport options.
12. Community Involvement: Engage the community in efforts to improve traffic and pedestrian safety. Encourage residents to report traffic violations and provide feedback on traffic management.
Guwahati has the potential to be a pedestrian-friendly city, but it requires a concerted effort from authorities, drivers, and residents. By implementing these solutions, Guwahati can become a safer and more enjoyable place for everyone, especially pedestrians. As someone who loves this city, I hope to see these changes implemented to ensure a better future for all its residents.
(The author is a founder & CEO of an Academy. All views and opinions expressed are author’s own)
