Staff reporter
Guwahati: With Rongali Bihu, the most vibrant and eagerly awaited festival in Assam, just days away, Guwahati is gearing up for grand celebrations. However, amid the preparations and anticipation, an undercurrent of concern is growing among city residents: the noticeable dip in traffic policing and road safety enforcement, particularly during weekends and festive occasions.
In recent years, Guwahati’s roads during festivals were characterized by heightened vigilance, with police checkpoints, breathalyzer tests, and regular night patrols acting as deterrents against reckless driving and intoxicated driving. Today, that visible presence has dwindled, leaving many residents worried about the potential consequences.
“There was a time when police personnel lined the streets every night,” recalled a local resident. “You could see them checking vehicles and conducting breathalyzer tests, especially during festivals. That kind of presence really helped in curbing reckless behaviour. Now, it’s all gone quiet, and it shows.”
This “silence” on the roads is being interpreted not as a sign of calm but as a dangerous vacuum in enforcement. With festive celebrations expected to peak in the coming days, many fear that lax policing may open the floodgates to traffic violations, public disorder, and potentially fatal road mishaps.
Several citizens who spoke to this reporter voiced concerns over the rising incidents of rash driving, public drinking, and open defiance of traffic rules. A daily commuter noted, “Most of the time, there’s no checking at all. You can see people hanging out of car sunroofs, clearly intoxicated, zooming past traffic signals. It’s not just reckless—it’s life-threatening.”
Another Beltola resident recounted a disturbing scene witnessed recently. “I was returning from Zoo Road a few days ago. Near Dispur point, I saw a group of boys and girls standing next to their motorcycles, drinking openly by the roadside. Not a single traffic police officer was around. This was unthinkable just a few years back.”
These are not isolated incidents. On social media platforms, too, residents have been raising alarms over a perceived decline in road discipline and law enforcement—a concern that becomes even more urgent during high-traffic festivals like Rongali Bihu.
When contacted, a senior official from Guwahati City Police acknowledged the concerns but pointed to the broader role of citizens in ensuring safety. “Public responsibility plays a crucial role in maintaining road safety. It is not just about police presence. People need to understand that drinking and driving is not just illegal—it can be fatal. Celebrating should not come at the cost of someone’s life,” the official stated. While the emphasis on civic awareness is not misplaced, many citizens argue that public responsibility cannot be a substitute for robust enforcement. As one respondent succinctly put it, “Responsibility is a two-way street. Yes, the public must act responsibly, but authorities also need to enforce the law visibly and consistently.”
With traffic volumes expected to surge during the Bihu holidays and nightlong celebrations set to light up the city, residents are now urging the administration to bring back visible and proactive traffic policing. Naka checkings, night patrols, and spot fines had once served as effective deterrents, and many believe reinstating such measures is the need of the hour.
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