The Paltan Bazar locality of Shillong
has transformed for the worse over
the years, becoming of one of the most congested localities in the city, thanks to the narrow roads and the inevitably huge traffic jam that follows.
The locality being situated just next to Bara Bazar is often seen to be packed with trucks, autorickshaws, local taxis and every other vehicle which is used for commercial purposes.
The presence of many wholesale shops in the area is a reason that adds up to this congestion as these commercial vehicles are parked right in front of the shops thereby disrupting the flow of traffic all day long. Huge trucks and other vehicle pass through this small road throughout the day.
Although a significant number of traffic personnel are posted in the area and more so, making the stretch a one way zone has failed to improve the situation and traffic management is far from better.
A visitor who frequents the stretch regularly in his vehicle lamented, “When one comes here one will surely find himself in a traffic jam on any given day.”
Adding to this, the poor road condition elevates the problem. The stretch till Jeep stand point is in its worst possible state, restricting the little vehicular movement.
(By Aafaque Hussain)
