A footpath now forgotten
At Rilbong Point, one of Shillong’s busiest crossroads linking the Shillong-Dawki stretch with the Guwahati-Shillong road, a simple walk has turned into an everyday obstacle course.
With construction for the Shillong-Dawki Phase I project in full swing, the footpath at the junction has been reduced to a narrow, neglected strip. Bushes spill over from the construction site nearby, forcing pedestrians to squeeze past or step aside.
What little space remains is littered with gravel, clumps of mud and uneven debris left behind by ongoing work, turning the path into a rough and risky terrain.
As cars weave tightly through the constricted lane, pedestrians are left with little choice but to hop off the pavement and onto the tarmac—each step a negotiation with oncoming traffic.
For many, navigating the short stretch has become less about walking and more about staying safe on a footpath that seems to have slipped through the cracks of the city’s development push.
Shillong’s affair with potholes
Why are roads in most parts of Shillong riddled with potholes? Is it because Shillong wants to test your spirit and your patience? Or is it because those in power want to offer the residents some challenge to test their SUVs, the power of their 4X4 off-roaders or the alloy wheels which are a favourite among Shillongites.
Our beloved roads have reached a point of no return. The roads aren’t just broken; they’re emotionally damaged.
Take the stretch from Shillong to Umiam or the one from Rilbong to Upper Shillong. It is understood that the latter is undergoing major development work but what about the former? Thousands of vehicles traverse the Shillong-Umiam stretch daily but basic repair/resurfacing work is missing.
Any repair is in itself an evolving art. Once the repair is done, the contractor makes sure that the black topping peels off after a downpour demanding another repair. This takes care of his daily bread and butter, leaving more than enough for cakes as well.
Our potholes are inclusive; they don’t discriminate between a Maruti 800 or an Alto or a Fortuner or even the VVIP convoy. Everyone gets equal treatment.
Although the state government announced nearly two months ago that it was sanctioning Rs 45 crore to repair major roads in the city, no visible effort has been seen yet.
Shillongites hope that the repair work will begin and complete before Christmas so that they may enjoy the festivities smoothly without having to tackle off-road courses daily.
Until that is done, keep on dodging potholes, check your vehicle’s alignment, do a little stretch before and after every drive to keep your spine flexible, and carry a lot of faith and patience because we have no choice.
