Top News

Morning Commute in Guwahati: A Hazardous Journey

As dawn breaks over the Noonmati–Chandmari–Guwahati Club area, the streets begin to buzz with activity—vehicles inching forward, shop owners lifting their shutters, and dust swirling in the air.

Pedestrians navigate cautiously, as the distinction between the road and footpath has become increasingly ambiguous. In many locations, footpaths have transformed into makeshift lanes for two-wheelers, which weave through unsuspecting walkers in a bid to escape the city's persistent traffic.

For numerous locals, this situation has become a disconcerting aspect of daily life, leaving little room for ease or safety while traversing the area.

Pranab Kalita, an office worker who walks this route daily, expressed his concerns: “Footpaths are no longer safe for us. You’re constantly looking over your shoulder; not for anything else but two-wheelers coming from behind.”

The Rise of Footpath Riding

A still from Chandmari area

What used to be an occasional infringement has now morphed into a common practice throughout Guwahati. Riders on two-wheelers, eager to avoid chronic traffic jams, increasingly utilize footpaths, turning pedestrian areas into perilous zones.

In bustling neighborhoods like Chandmari, Guwahati Club, and Noonmati, where narrow roads and ongoing flyover construction exacerbate the issue, the situation is particularly dire.

Residents express ongoing anxiety, especially during peak traffic hours. Trishna Bordoloi, a local, remarked, “You can’t let children walk alone anymore. Even on footpaths, there’s no guarantee of safety. Bikes suddenly appear, and there’s no space to move.”

Traffic Police Acknowledges the Growing Issue

Traffic police stationed along the Chandmari stretch have noted a significant increase in this problem in recent months.

A traffic officer stated, “With flyover construction ongoing and heavy traffic, bikers often take shortcuts along footpaths, raising serious safety concerns.”

Despite regular monitoring and warnings, enforcing the rules remains a challenge. The officer added, “We try our best to stop them, but many don’t pay heed. Even if one person listens, another repeats the same violation. This cannot be tackled by the police or government alone. People also need to avoid such behaviour.”

Consequences of Footpath Riding

The repercussions of riding on footpaths extend beyond near misses. Incidents involving two-wheelers on sidewalks can lead to traffic standstills, compounding congestion in an already crowded area.

The officer reflected on the situation, saying, “Yes, sometimes people get injured, and that leads to more traffic in the area. But then the same thing repeats. What can we do?”

Pedestrians often find themselves making unsafe choices. With footpaths occupied by bikes or damaged due to construction, many are forced onto the road, putting them directly in the path of fast-moving vehicles.

Minoti Bora, an elderly resident of Noonmati, shared her thoughts: “Walking on the road feels risky, but at least drivers expect people there. On the footpath, bikes come silently from behind.”

The Broader Context of Traffic Safety

Two-wheelers constitute a significant portion of daily traffic in the city, making riders both vulnerable and, at times, contributors to unsafe road practices.

Common issues such as speeding, driving on the wrong side, lack of helmet use, and frequent lane violations are prevalent on Guwahati’s roads.

Along the Noonmati–Chandmari–Guwahati Club stretch, these dangers are amplified by diversions, reduced road space, and poorly defined pedestrian pathways.

Some riders admit that frustration and time constraints drive their behavior. A delivery executive, who wished to remain anonymous, noted, “If I stay on the main road here, I’ll be stuck for at least 30 minutes. I know riding on the footpath is wrong, but traffic moves so slowly that people take chances.”

A Call for Change

Residents argue that convenience should not come at the expense of safety. Niranjan, who operates a small kiosk along the Guwahati Club corridor, questioned, “Everyone is in a hurry, but why should pedestrians suffer? Footpaths are already few. If bikes take over that space too, where are we supposed to walk?”

As Guwahati continues to grow, ongoing flyover construction and infrastructure improvements promise long-term relief but have created immediate challenges for both commuters and pedestrians.

The lack of clear pedestrian protection measures during construction along the Noonmati–Chandmari–Guwahati Club stretch has further blurred the lines between road and footpath.