Shillong traffic breathes easy
Have you noticed how traffic congestion in Shillong has eased over the last few days? For almost ten months of the year, Shillong’s roads are a daily chaos with traffic jams eating up much of your time and patience. Horns overlap in perfect cacophony; two-wheelers squeezing into every inch of open space and overtaking turns into a competition. Then, like clockwork, the annual exams arrive, schools open and close at fixed times of the day, and the city suddenly discovers life is easier.
On Friday afternoon, an SJ member booked a cab from Jhalupara till Laitumkhrah, starting early with the expectation of reaching the destination within an hour. Instead, he reached Laitumkhrah in around 15 minutes, with the only exception being the Anjalee Pump to Civil Hospital Junction, which took close to 10 minutes to negotiate.
Both the cabbie and the SJ member nodded in unison that a miracle had occurred but not on a Sunday.
Some traffic congestion occurs in the Rhino-Anjalee-Rilbong-Upper Shillong and the Police Bazar stretch, in the evening hours, to remind us of the realities of life, lest we forget our struggles.
Citizens and traffic cops are breathing slightly more relaxed, wondering how long this peace will last. For now, enjoy the miracle, admire the wide roads and breathe easy until someone honks from behind to wake you up from your dreamy state.
Winter in Shillong
As December approaches, the city has pulled a scarf over its face as citizens rush to Khyndai Lad to lay their hands on jackets, pullovers, overcoats, caps and gloves. After all, the layering season is here.
With the mercury falling to single-digit figures, locals warm up with heaters and charcoal stoves while tourists put up some resistance as they walk around the city in cottons.
“We’re here to enjoy Shillong’s winter,” they declare.
As the evening hours set in, the city becomes darker, roads become empty and huge gatherings are seen outside momo and soup stalls.
But the real challenge is the wardrobe battle. You start with a jacket; then a sweater under the jacket, a cap to cover those bald patches and a muffler or a scarf around the neck. Be sure to cover the ears, lest they freeze.
Yet somehow, despite the cold, Shillong’s winter is beautiful. The air smells of pine, smoke, and cherry blossoms flex on the roadside.
People huddle around tiny bonfires selling roasted corn and black tea, secretly admiring those wearing sandals, with or without socks. So enjoy the Shillong winter as your sip your cuppa around a heater.
