Guwahati: The Guwahati Traffic Police has announced traffic restrictions, route diversions and parking regulations across several parts of the city for Chhath Puja celebrations on November 15 and 16.
According to a press release issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), the restrictions will remain in force from 11 am on November 15 until 11 am on November 16. The arrangements aim to manage traffic congestion and ensure the smooth movement of devotees, particularly around areas expected to witness large gatherings.
Restrictions on commercial and public transport
During the specified period, commercial goods vehicles and slow-moving vehicles, including handcarts, rickshaws and pony carts, will be prohibited from using MG Road between Machkhowa Point and the Chief Justice Bungalow Point.
However, slow-moving vehicles transporting puja materials for devotees will be exempted.
City buses and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) buses travelling from Khanapara towards Bharalumukh will have to use the GS Road–AT Road route. They will not be permitted to pass through Panbazar or the Panbazar Railway Overbridge (ROB).
Buses approaching from Jalukbari will also be barred from entering the MG Road stretch between Machkhowa Point and the Gauhati High Court Chief Justice’s residence. These vehicles will be diverted towards AT Road and HB Road through Chandmari and Noonmati.
Heavy vehicles, including inter-district buses and red-coloured ASTC rural service buses, will not be allowed to enter the city from Jalukbari during the restriction period. City buses and vehicles carrying devotees will remain exempt from this restriction.
The traffic police has also advised devotees to use four-wheelers while travelling to the river ghats, clarifying that six-wheelers will not be permitted.
Traffic diversions across Guwahati
Several diversions have been introduced to regulate vehicular movement around the Chhath Puja celebration areas.
Vehicles travelling from Bharalumukh towards Panbazar and Chandmari will be diverted at Machkhowa towards the elevated corridor. They will then be routed to HB Road through TRP Road or AT Road.
Vehicles heading towards Chandmari and Latasil through HB Road will have to take a left turn at NB Hall (Sessions Court) Point and proceed via FC Road.
Similarly, vehicles travelling from Chandmari towards Panbazar, Bharalumukh and Jalukbari will be diverted at NB Hall towards HB Road before proceeding to Bharalumukh.
Light vehicles coming from Unbazar and Latasil towards Bharalumukh will be diverted at Planetarium Point. They will proceed through Lamb Road, FC Road, Tayebulla Point and GNB Road before taking a left turn at NB Hall.
Designated parking areas and no-parking zones
The traffic police has identified several parking locations for vehicles carrying devotees and puja materials approaching from the Bharalumukh side.
The designated parking areas include:
- Lachit Ghat
- Lakhi Goli
- Chamber Road
- MS Road
- SRCB Road
- Market-side stretch of MG Road
Parking will also be permitted inside the field of Sonaram Higher Secondary School.
Meanwhile, the riverside stretch of AT Road between Bharalumukh and the Panbazar Overbridge South Point will remain free of parked vehicles from 7 am on November 15 until the completion of Chhath Puja rituals on November 16.
Parking will be prohibited on MG Road, MLN Road, ARB Road, SS Road, SRCB Road, HB Road and TRP Road throughout the restriction period.
Additionally, trucks and heavy commercial vehicles will not be allowed to park on TRP Road, Lakhi Gali, Chamber Road, SRCB Road, Kedar Road and MS Road from 7 am on November 15 until the completion of the festival rituals on November 16.
The Guwahati Traffic Police has urged commuters and devotees to follow the designated routes, comply with parking restrictions and cooperate with traffic personnel to prevent congestion and ensure smooth movement during the Chhath Puja celebrations.