GUWAHATI: A massive traffic congestion was seen in Guwahati today morning in several areas including the stretch from Machkhowa to Pan Bazar on the MG Road, the Panbazar flyover till Vishal, Paltan Bazar area, Chandmari and Ganeshguri.
Many commuters complained that the traffic congestion has become a daily occurrence as the city has been grappling with extreme traffic jams over the past few days due to various ongoing construction projects which has caused the closure of key roads around the city forcing.
The areas most affected by the same include the stretch from Machkhowa to Pan Bazar on MG Road, which has seen an enormous surge in traffic since the inauguration of the new Guwahati-North Guwahati Elevated Corridor, causing the change of the traffic congestion point from Bharalumukh, the previous chokepoint of traffic, to Machkhowa.
The congestion is further exacerbated as the entire traffic is diverted to the Guwahati-North Guwahati Elevated Corridor, as the MG Road has been barricaded and closed from Machkhowa. The road has been closed as construction plans are ongoing for a rotary which will reportedly extend towards Solapara and Maligaon.
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While talking to GPlus, a college student said, “We were going to IIT Guwahati on Saturday, when we encountered a huge traffic jam on MG Road and it took us almost 45 minutes just to go from Panbazar to AT Road in Bhootnath using the new flyover. To add to our misery, the extreme dust and heat made the situation unbearable.”
The situation is identical for vehicles going towards Panbazar causing major inconvenience to regular commuters from Maligaon and Adabari, who are forced to be stuck in the traffic for a long time.
Furthermore, the closure of the old Panbazar overbridge has added another traffic chokepoint in the city as many vehicles travelling to and from Paltan Bazar were seen stuck today on the second Panbazar overbridge. The old flyover is scheduled to be demolished by the Railways and will be rebuilt at an elevated height, as reported earlier.
“I would have understood if the congestion was just in one place but it’s everywhere and has become a daily harassment. Why can’t the authorities work on one project at a time? These unplanned and chaotic construction activities is making the city unbearable to live in,” another commuter complained.
The vehicles are again forced to be stuck at the junction at Paltan Bazar from the ASTC Bus Stand as the pathetic condition of the road, coupled with the blockage of road due to construction of the new foot over bridge, forces vehicles to slow down.
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The same situation is seen at Ganeshguri with the area choking with traffic as hundreds of vehicles ply through the stretch every day, creating a regular nuisance for officegoers and students alike.
Speaking on the same, an office-goer from Hatigaon revealed, “Sometimes, the traffic starts at Hatigaon itself in front of Little Flowers School and goes on till Ganeshguri. It takes me around 25-30 minutes just to cover that stretch on some days.”
Similarly, Guwahati Club also become a hub of traffic lately as many people complained about same. “Wanted to draw your attention towards this worst traffic today at Guwahati club, don't understand why this place situation is always same , even ambulance waiting for 25 minutes,” an X user Anjali Sarma posted.
In addition to the challenges posed by ongoing developmental projects, commuters in Guwahati often find themselves further disturbed by the frequent disruptions caused by VVIP movements through the city. Whenever dignitaries, such as the Prime Minister or Union Ministers, make their way through Guwahati, main and arterial roads are promptly blocked to facilitate their passage. This practice has become a recurrent source of frustration for the city's residents.
A notable instance occurred last month when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Guwahati. Commuters endured over two hours of traffic congestion as roads were cordoned off for the Prime Minister's convoy. Similar inconveniences are reported each time a VVIP, irrespective of their stature, travels through the city.
On March 10, chaos ensued once again when B Borooah College students organised a cultural rally to commemorate the institution's 80th foundation day. The entire stretch of the arterial B Borooah Road came to a standstill for over an hour, causing significant disruptions to the normal flow of traffic.
Expressing their frustration, one commuter shared, "I was stuck near B Borooah College, unable to turn back for almost an hour, as the students took out the rally. Why didn't the Traffic Police issue a traffic advisory for such events, as they do for more routine matters?"
Another commuter highlighted the impact on their schedule, stating, "I almost missed my train as the kilometer-long student rally blocked the roads. I had to get down from my cab and walk to the station."
The repeated disruptions arising from both construction projects and VVIP movements emphasize the immediate requirement for efficient traffic management strategies in the city. This ongoing situation underscores the pressing need for prompt solutions from the relevant authorities, as citizens grapple with daily travel challenges. The predicament of residents is anticipated to intensify in the coming months, particularly during the upcoming summer season.
