Commuters trapped in loops: Experimental traffic rules lead to chaos, spark outrage

SHILLONG, July 1: In what many are calling a poorly thought-out “experiment,” the Shillong Traffic Police’s new pilot traffic arrangement, enforced from Wednesday, has turned routine commutes into frustrating, fuel-guzzling ordeals for residents of Laban, Lumshatsngi, Lawsohtun, Rilbong and surrounding localities.
Motorists approaching from the Rilbong/Anjalee Point side are now prohibited from taking a simple right turn at Rhino Point toward these residential areas. Instead, they are forced to drive all the way to the already congested Barik Point, only to turn back and approach Rhino Point again just to make a permitted left turn. This unnecessary detour adds nearly 1.5 km to every trip.
Commuters wishing to turn right are denied the move and redirected toward Barik Point, only to double back through the choked Civil Hospital stretch.
A concerned resident voiced the frustration shared by hundreds: “We are being forced to waste precious time and burn expensive fuel navigating redundant loops, all while the primary arteries remain choked with vehicles that shouldn’t need to be there in the first place.”
Daily commuters are bearing the brunt of this decision. What used to be a straightforward journey has now become a circuitous nightmare, especially during peak hours. Many report significant delays, increased fuel consumption, and rising tempers on the road.
While the authorities may have introduced these diversions with the intention of improving overall traffic flow in Shillong’s narrow and complex road network, the ground reality paints a different picture. Instead of easing congestion, the new rules appear to be aggravating bottlenecks and testing the patience of citizens.
Residents are now urging the Traffic Police and concerned authorities to immediately review and revise these directives. They demand traffic management solutions that actually prioritise efficiency and public convenience rather than creating additional obstacles in an already strained city.
As the pilot phase continues, commuters can only hope that feedback from the suffering public will prompt quick corrections before these “loops of inconvenience” become a permanent feature of Shillong’s roads.