Shillong, October 16: The Shillong Traffic Police (STP) has announced a series of traffic restrictions, including no-entry regulations, designated no-parking zones and a ban on parking within 100 metres of Puja pandals, to ensure smooth vehicular movement during the Durga Puja celebrations from October 17 to 20 and the idol immersion procession on October 21.
In a press release issued on Friday, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), East Khasi Hills, Dr. Hari Prasanth M.R., said the traffic arrangements have been introduced in anticipation of increased vehicular and pedestrian movement across Shillong during the festive period.
According to the advisory, sector-wise traffic restrictions will be enforced at several locations, including Sadar, Laban, Lumdiengjri, Rynjah and Laitumkhrah, with specific diversion routes identified to minimise congestion.
In the Sadar sector, restrictions will be imposed from 2 pm onwards, including no-entry provisions from the GOs’ Quarters Junction towards Jail Road Market, Forest Colony towards CRPF Camp, Gandhi Bunyadi Higher Secondary School Junction towards Pynthor-rit, Oakland Junction towards Oakland Puja Pandal and MeECL Office Junction towards Keating Road.
In the Laban sector, restrictions will be enforced at several locations, including Harrison Bridge, Shillong Times Junction, Oxford Junction, Last Stop, MGCC Junction, SIB Office Junction and Laban Dispensary. Depending on the location, the restrictions will come into effect from 8 am, 4 pm or 6 pm, with vehicles diverted through designated alternative routes.
Similarly, in the Lumdiengjri sector, restrictions will be imposed from District Council Point towards MES Point, depending on the traffic situation, while no-entry regulations will also apply from Mahavir Park Junction towards Jhalupara, Chokhani Building Junction towards Paltan Bazaar Jeep Stand and Kyrbom towards Jhalupara.
In the Rynjah sector, restrictions will cover RR Colony Main Road, RR Colony Community Hall and the route from Lumshyiap Nongmensong Junction towards Nongmensong Point, beginning at 8 am.
In Laitumkhrah, traffic restrictions will apply from Goralane towards Ram Krishna Mission, the area in front of Laitumkhrah Police Station towards Sanathan Puja Pandal, Fire Brigade Point towards Fire Service Puja Pandal, Motinagar Junction towards Pantaloons Junction, Law College towards the main road and New Colony Junction towards Bengalee School Puja Pandal. The restrictions in the Laitumkhrah sector will begin at 8 am.
For the idol immersion procession scheduled on October 21, additional traffic regulations will be enforced from 8 am around CS Junction, Polo Point, 4th Furlong Junction and BK Bajoria Junction. Vehicles carrying idols will be exempted from certain restrictions, while other vehicles will be diverted through Bivar Road, Oakland Post Office Junction, BK Bajoria Junction and Shillong Commerce College, as applicable.
The police have also designated several stretches as no-parking zones, including both sides of the roads from Laban Police Station Junction to Circuit House Junction, Howell Road to Batti Bazaar Junction, RR Colony Main Roads No. 1 and 2, RR Colony Lane No. 6, Lumdiengjri Police Station to Mawprem Junction, District Council Point to Kyrbom, District Council Point to Chokhani Building, the Paltan Bazaar area and Trenching Ground Road to Jhalupara Point.
The advisory further prohibits parking or stopping vehicles within a radius of 100 metres of Puja pandals. Police warned that vehicles violating the restrictions would be liable for challans, clamping or removal in accordance with the law.
The Shillong Traffic Police has urged residents and visitors to plan their journeys in advance, use alternative routes wherever necessary, park only in authorised parking facilities and strictly follow traffic regulations and instructions issued by personnel on duty.
The department also assured that emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire service vehicles, would be given priority passage during the celebrations.
For traffic-related assistance, the public may contact the Sadar Traffic Branch at 6909396415, Laitumkhrah at 6909396412, Madanrting at 6909396416, Lumdiengjri at 6909396414, Rynjah at 6909396413, Laban at 6909396411 and Mawlai at 6909396417. The police emergency helpline number 112 will also remain available.
Dr. Hari Prasanth appealed to residents and visitors to cooperate with the traffic arrangements to ensure safe, smooth and hassle-free Durga Puja celebrations in Shillong.
