SHILLONG: In a decisive move regarding festival planning, the Shillong district administration has clarified that while Durga Puja pandals on Public Works Department (PWD) roads are being permitted this year due to late objections, this practice will no longer be allowed starting next year.
Addressing public grievances regarding traffic disruptions caused by pandals in areas such as R.R. Colony and Laitumkhrah, Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal explained that relocating the structures at the eleventh hour posed severe practical difficulties.
Consequently, after multiple rounds of meetings between sector magistrates and local durbars, construction has been allowed this time under valid PWD No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and local community consultations.
However, local durbars have already formally instructed the R.R. Colony Puja committee and others to look for alternative locations for future celebrations to completely prevent public inconvenience and traffic diversions.
To minimize disruptions for the current season, authorities have altered pandal layouts wherever feasible, pushing structures to the sides of streets rather than blocking main carriageways.
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Out of 67 to 68 pandals across the district, only one traditional location occupies a portion of the PWD road, requiring active intervention.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) office has deployed additional traffic personnel, streamlined diversion routes, and ensured public announcements regarding peak traffic hours.
The Deputy Commissioner also addressed concerns over statutory compliances, noting that approvals are granted based on completed legal formalities and the backing of local durbars rather than individual permissions.
He further allayed fears among Puja committees regarding mandatory legal undertakings, reassuring them that it is a standard administrative procedure enforced across all public events—including Heineken festivals—and does not hold organizations liable for independent or external untoward incidents.
While public transport adjustments remain under the purview of the Transport Department, local administration and police are actively managing ground-level traffic.
Additionally, due to ongoing riverfront development limiting simultaneous side-by-side idol immersions at the traditional ghat, the administration has introduced mapped transit calculations and staggered timing schedules for processions to ensure a smooth celebration.
(4FrontMedia news)
