Fast and Furious: Shillong style
In the hilly haven of Shillong, where clouds flirt with the pines and every corner smells faintly of momos, there’s a growing breed of daredevils who keep the city’s heart racing—literally.
Meet the two-wheeler riders of Shillong, the self-proclaimed kings of the road, zipping through traffic as if auditioning for the next Fast and Furious movie.
If you’ve ever driven, walked, or even breathed in Shillong, you’ve likely witnessed their antics—a cocktail of thrill and terror.
These daredevils are everywhere, often swerving past you from the wrong side. A few years ago, an SJ team member witnessed a heart-stopping moment near the Kachari bus stop. An elderly woman was getting down from a JNNURM bus when a speeding two-wheeler, trying to cross the bus from the left side, bumped into her and knocked her to the ground. The rider was lucky to escape the road rage usually associated with the Delhi-NCR.
Social media posts are in awe of the traffic discipline in Mizoram, but in Shillong, lane discipline is something we have heard of but never seen.
These two-wheeler riders have mastered the art of the “Shillong Swerve.” Want to cross the road in any busy area of the city? Good luck. You’ll need the reflexes of a ninja and the blessings of a saint to dodge the rush of two-wheelers.
Negligent? Sure. Rash? Absolutely. The root of this madness? Perhaps the narrow, winding roads of Shillong, which seem designed to test your soul. Or maybe it’s the unspoken rule that if you’re not going 80 km/h on a 30 km/h road, you’re not living.
Sunday fest in Mawbah
Mawbah serves as a commercial hub for three major localities in West Shillong—Upper and Lower Mawprem, Jhalupara, and Mawbah itself. As a result, the area experiences an exponential surge in footfall, especially on Sundays when the place booms with visitors.
With new tea joints and eateries springing up in almost every nook and corner, massive crowds are drawn here daily. The bustling nature of Mawbah may not surprise regular visitors, but for those who prefer quiet over chaos, it can feel like a nightmare.
While the area offers easy access to groceries, utilities, and various services, the overcrowded roads often feel stifling—even from afar. And in Mawbah, everyone seems to be an avid jaywalker. No amount of honking can alter their stride; such efforts are usually futile. This, combined with narrow roads that seem to grow narrower by the day, makes navigating the area a tricky task.