Guwahati's Historic Paltan Bazar Grapples With Unrelenting Traffic Gridlock
Every single day, the Paltan Bazar area in Guwahati descends into traffic chaos. This British-era commercial hub, located close to the Guwahati railway station, sees autorickshaws and taxis clogging the main road. The situation creates massive congestion for daily commuters.
Police Enforcement Fails to Curb the Problem
Traffic personnel from the Paltan Bazar police station conduct regular checks. Yet, vehicles continue to choke the narrow approach roads. The congestion begins along AT Road in Paltan Bazar. It stretches all the way to the Nepali Mandir area, which marks the start of GS Road.
Officers deployed in the zone admit managing the flow has grown increasingly tough. The sheer volume of vehicles converging at the same point overwhelms them.
M Kumar, the traffic in-charge at Paltan Bazar police station, explained the core issue. The proximity to the railway station attracts vehicles that park while waiting for passengers. "We fine these vehicles almost every day," Kumar stated. "On average, penalties amount to nearly Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh. But the congestion returns within hours." He stressed the urgent need for a designated parking space to solve this recurring problem.
Plans for Redevelopment and Parking Solutions
The directorate of town and country planning, known as DTCP, has started work. Their goal is to make Paltan Bazar more organised and accessible. Subhasish Borah, an assistant director at DTCP, confirmed the redevelopment project will address parking issues.
"There is a multi-level parking facility belonging to the Assam State Transport Corporation in that area," Borah said. "We are planning to revive it. An on-street parking system will also be introduced. We will implement a feasible pricing strategy once the project finishes."
Drivers and Residents Voice Their Struggles
Taxi drivers on the ground present a different perspective. They argue they have few alternatives. Biswajit, a local driver, shared his experience. "There is no proper parking zone for us. Trains arrive back-to-back. Passengers expect taxis immediately. If we move away, we lose business," he explained.
Residents living in the area highlight additional structural problems. They point to uneven arterial roads and multiple lanes that intersect at awkward angles. This poor road design leaves little scope for smooth vehicular movement, perpetuating the traffic nightmare.
The daily struggle in Paltan Bazar underscores a classic urban challenge. Enforcement alone cannot fix it. Sustainable solutions require proper infrastructure planning and designated facilities. All stakeholders, from authorities to drivers, await the promised redevelopment with hope.
