‘Guwahati, Guwahati’ everywhere!
If you are a daily commuter on the roads of Shillong and are unfortunately carrying a sling bag, a backpack, or anything hanging around your neck or back, you are sure to attract the unwanted attention of agents and tourist taxi drivers gleefully inviting you to a trip to Guwahati.
This phenomena was earlier restricted to Police Bazar but is rapidly spreading around the city. Some of the key areas where you might be a “person of interest” include Anjalee Junction, Civil Hospital Junction, Mawbynna, Barik, Keating Road, Boucher Road, District Council Junction and Jhalupara.
We can bet you will not be able to pass through these areas peacefully without being greeted by the shrill cries of “Guwahati, Guwahati” if you are carrying a bag, even if you have no intention of taking a trip down to the Assam capital.
The experience may, at best, be described as frustrating. Once they spot you, you are done. They will cajole you, make offers and if you don’t wave them off, they would probably pull you to their vehicles.
Why can’t there be a fixed parking space for tourist vehicles? Space is premium in Police Bazar and not readily available. The parking space opposite the SBI main Branch is giving way to little holes-in-the-wall, including a liquor shop. The other one, adjacent to Meghalaya Vivanta has been sealed off.
SJ requests the government to designate a space for tourist taxis and give us a break!
