Guwahati's Panbazar Loses Its Bustling Energy
The lively atmosphere that once defined Panbazar in Guwahati has faded into memory. This area previously thrived on the constant flow of visitors heading to important government offices. People came daily to the deputy commissioner's office, the police commissioner's office, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, and the Mahafezkhana.
A Hub That Has Gone Quiet
Panbazar used to be a vibrant center filled with activity. Numerous pan stalls and tea shops lined the streets. Sellers crowded the area, offering government job advertisements and books for competitive exams. Today, the scene is almost completely still. The familiar buzz has disappeared.
Most businesses have either moved to new locations or closed down entirely. This collapse followed a sharp drop in foot traffic over the past five years. The relocation of major government offices triggered this decline.
One Shop Holds On
Amid the quiet, one small pan shop remains. It stubbornly holds its ground where dozens once operated successfully. Upen Barua, a 52-year-old from Sipajhar in Darrang district, runs this last surviving shop in the lane.
Barua continues his trade, but he faces significant struggles. His daily earnings have plummeted by nearly 40 to 50 percent. This stark drop highlights how a bustling city corner can fade when crowds move away.
Two Decades of Change
Barua has been operating his business in Panbazar for nearly twenty years. He recalls much better times. "Business was good till all the offices were here," he says. "Thousands of people used to come to the offices daily."
The situation changed dramatically in 2022. The government shifted all these offices to other parts of the city. Authorities also demolished the historic buildings that housed them. This demolition was part of the Brahmaputra riverfront project construction.
"This has ended the flow of visitors," Barua explains. "In turn, it impacted the businesses deeply."
Financial Strain and Family Life
The financial impact on Barua is severe. He used to earn between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 per day before the offices relocated. Now, he barely makes Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 daily.
"It has become difficult to run a family with the price hike of essential items," Barua adds. He has a son who is currently pursuing graduation at Sipajhar College. Supporting his family's needs and his son's education has grown increasingly challenging.
All the buildings along the SP bungalow were demolished for the Brahmaputra riverfront project. This physical transformation of the area mirrors the economic change experienced by small business owners like Barua. The project promises a new future for the riverfront, but it has come at a cost for the local commerce that once flourished there.
