GUWAHATI: The ongoing construction of a new bridge in Panbazar has turned the area into a daily nightmare for commuters. With traffic congestion, dust, and broken road dividers adding to the chaos, residents and daily commuters are struggling to cope with the situation.
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The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) demolished the 58-year-old Panbazar road overbridge earlier on 2024 to construct a new bridge with increased height. While the project is crucial for the city's infrastructure, people travelling through the stretch from AT Road to the Panbazar flyover are facing severe difficulties.
Many commuters feel that while development is necessary, the lack of proper planning has led to an unmanageable situation.
Talking to GPlus, a daily commuter in Panbazaar said, "Because of the new bridge, the entire Panbazar area has turned chaotic. We understand that development is important, but the sheer level of congestion is frustrating. The entire stretch from AT Road to the end of the Panbazar flyover is a mess."
Residents are also worried about the rising pollution levels caused by the construction.
"Development is needed, but shouldn’t there be proper planning? Every corner has construction work, leading to non-stop traffic jams. And the dust! It’s everywhere. We are inhaling pollution every day—does the government even think about our health? Or are they just going to let us suffer?" questioned a resident in Panbazaar.
Another commuter, Sumit Das, talking to GPlus said about the condition of the roads and traffic violations.
"I take this route every day, and it’s unbearable. The traffic is never-ending, and the dust makes it worse. The Panbazar bridge has such a narrow space left for movement, and people have even broken the orange road safety dividers, making the situation worse. It’s not just the authorities to blame our own people don’t follow the rules, which adds to the mess."
Guwahati Traffic Police officials admitted that the construction work has made traffic management difficult.
"Due to the flyover construction, congestion is inevitable. We urge people to be patient and follow traffic rules as much as possible. Our team is trying its best to maintain order in the area," said an official from the department while speaking to G Plus.
Earlier on November 2024, sources in the NFR revealed that the construction timeline remains 15 months, though delays could occur.
"The work officially started in March, but we are facing multiple technical challenges. The original deadline remains 15 months, but there could be slight delays," said a source from NFR on condition of anonymity.
With months of construction still ahead, commuters in Panbazar are left with no choice but to navigate through the chaos every day, hoping for smoother roads and better air once the bridge is finally completed.
