GUWAHATI: The area surrounding Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) faces daily traffic congestion, causing major issues for commuters, ambulance drivers, patients, and hospital staff.
To understand the root causes of this never ending problem, GPlus conducted an on-ground investigation.
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Talking to GPlus, a shop vendor near the GMCH Cancer Hospital said, "The main problems are the ambulances, staff buses, and these blue cars blocking the road. Even when police try to clear the area, they argue, saying they have government permission. The red ASTC buses usually come after 1 or 2 PM, and the roads are relatively empty. However, since the green buses started, the situation has become more chaotic."
An ambulance driver talking to GPlus said, "Public cars often refuse to give way to ambulances, even when we use the siren. This makes it very problematic for us, especially with emergency patients. The buses block one side of the road, making it difficult to navigate. Street vendors and small shops also create problems as they occupy space where we could park. The number of roadside shops has increased, and we even see shops on footpaths now."
Another ambulance driver echoed these concerns, adding, "Buses randomly stop anywhere, causing problems. The e-rickshaws also stop abruptly in the middle of the road, creating havoc. These issues make it hard to carry emergency patients quickly, as even with the siren, people often don't make way."
An ambulance driver stationed outside GMCH highlighted another issue, "Buses cause a lot of problems because they halt abruptly and park in an unorganised manner. If buses stayed in a particular lane, it would be easier for everyone. There's no designated bus stand here; buses just arrive and halt randomly."
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Talking to GPlus, an ASTC driver admitted, "The road is clear now, but there is traffic at times. The GMC has given us permits, but the road situation in Guwahati can be unpredictable."
A GMCH student pointed out, "The traffic here is mainly due to vehicles. Government buses and e-rickshaws cause significant congestion. Ambulances face serious issues because of this. The traffic is mostly caused by buses, patient cars, and their families' vehicles."
A traffic police officer seeking anonymity described the daily struggle, "This is an everyday issue. Controlling the traffic here is very difficult. We have to constantly handle bus drivers who wait for more than five minutes."
In response, a senior official from ASTC told GPlus, "If the buses wait here for too long, we will talk to the drivers and send our team to clear the area."
