Guwahati Faces Severe Traffic Issues at Ganeshguri Flyover
Traffic Woes at Ganeshguri Flyover
GUWAHATI, Aug 3: The intersection of the Ganeshguri flyover and RG Baruah Road is becoming a significant urban challenge for Guwahati, with traffic congestion worsening.
This area, which hosts some of the city's major shopping centers and top coaching institutes, is struggling with one of Guwahati's most urgent civic issues, as improperly parked vehicles frequently block parts of the roadway.
During a typical afternoon, auto-rickshaws and taxis are parked haphazardly, while parents waiting to collect their children from classes occupy nearly half of the road. Motorcycles are also parked without regard for designated spaces, causing frustration for commuters. Traffic officials can often be seen making strenuous attempts to manage the flow of vehicles and clear the road.
On average, it takes around 35 minutes for cars and 25 minutes for motorcycles to navigate the 1.7-kilometer stretch from Ganeshguri to the Shraddhanjali Flyover. Many commuters have expressed their dissatisfaction with the daily struggles they face on this route.
“Under ideal circumstances, it should take no more than 15 to 20 minutes if traffic is properly managed,” remarked one commuter.
In an interview, regular commuter Mridul pointed out that parked vehicles, especially taxis and autos, often take up road space indiscriminately. “On a typical day, vehicles should not be parked randomly, particularly when police are present,” he stated.
He suggested that malls and coaching centers with parking facilities should designate specific pick-up and drop-off zones within their premises to alleviate ongoing public inconvenience.
A student named Prantika shared her experience of navigating the congested traffic. She displayed a bruised elbow she received after misjudging the speed of an approaching auto-rickshaw.
“An auto brushed past me yesterday while I was trying to cross the road. It has become increasingly challenging to cross safely due to the lack of proper markings or zebra crossings for pedestrians,” she explained.
When reached for comment, Jayanta Sarathi Borah, DCP (Traffic), stated that the department is making efforts to tackle the issue by increasing personnel in the area.
He acknowledged that the presence of randomly parked vehicles significantly contributes to the congestion. “We are consistently imposing fines, but that is not a complete solution. Individuals need to act responsibly and adhere to traffic regulations,” he added, emphasizing that ongoing monitoring and enforcement will persist.