By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 16: Shillong Traffic Police has announced sector-wise restrictions across several parts of the city for Durga Puja celebrations from October 17 to 20 and the idol immersion procession on October 21. The measures include diversions, designated no-parking zones and a 100-metre no-parking radius around puja pandals. Vehicles found violating the rules may be challaned, clamped or removed.
According to a traffic advisory issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, on October 16, no-entry restrictions will apply at multiple junctions in the Sadar, Laban, Lumdiengjri, Rynjah and Laitumkhrah sectors.
The restrictions will take effect at different times depending on location, with motorists directed to alternative routes.
In the Sadar sector, traffic approaching Jail Road Market from the Government Officers’ quarters junction will be diverted towards Jail Road Petrol Pump.
Vehicles from Forest Colony towards the CRPF Camp will be sent towards Lawmali, while those approaching Pynthor-rit from the Gandhi Bunyadi Higher Secondary School junction will be diverted towards Golf Club second junction from 2 pm. No entry will also apply from Oakland Junction towards the Oakland Puja Pandal, and traffic from the MeECL office junction towards Keating Road will be diverted towards Kachari Point.
In the Laban sector, restrictions will cover roads linking Harrison Bridge, Zig-Zag Road, The Shillong Times junction, Rilbong New Bridge and Oxford junction. Vehicles will be diverted towards Oxford, Last Stop, Bishnupur, Madan Laban or Circuit House junction at specified times.
Traffic approaching the Harisabha Puja Pandal from Laban Dispensary will be sent towards Batti Bazaar junction.
In the Lumdiengjri sector, vehicles from District Council Point towards MES Point may be diverted towards Motphran Point from 4 pm depending on traffic conditions.
Restrictions will also apply from Mahavir Park junction towards Jhalupara, from Chokhani Building junction towards Paltan Bazaar, and from Korbom towards Jhalupara, with diversions towards District Council Point, Trenching Ground and Round Building.
In the Rynjah sector, traffic approaching RR Colony Community Hall from RR Colony Main Road will be diverted towards BSNL Quarter junction, Umpling and Post Office junction. Vehicles from Lumshyiap Nongmensong junction towards Nongmensong Point will be sent towards Atomic Energy Office junction.
In Laitumkhrah, no-entry restrictions will affect roads around Goralane, Ram Krishna Mission, Sanathan Puja Pandal, the Fire Service Puja Pandal and junctions near Motinagar, Pantaloons and Law College.
Diversions will route vehicles towards Laitumkhrah Point, Nongkynrih Road, Lumpyngnad, Motinagar Main Road, Kharmalki and LIC junction. Restrictions in this sector begin from 8 am.
Special arrangements will apply on October 21 for the immersion procession. No entry will be permitted from CS junction towards Fourth Furlong junction except for vehicles carrying idols.
Traffic from Polo Point, Fourth Furlong and BK Bajoria will be diverted towards Oakland Post Office, Bivar Road, Shillong Commerce College and related routes from 8 am.
The advisory has identified 10 no-parking stretches, including both sides of the road from Laban Police Station to Circuit House junction, Howell Road to Batti Bazaar junction, several stretches in RR Colony, Lumdiengjri Police Station to Mawprem junction, District Council Point to Korbom and Chokhani Building, the Paltan Bazaar area, and Trenching Ground Road to Jhalupara Point.
The traffic police have urged residents and visitors to plan journeys in advance, use alternative routes and park only in authorised facilities.
Emergency vehicles will be given priority. For assistance, the public may contact the respective traffic branches: Sadar (69093 96415), Laitumkhrah (69093 96412), Madanrting (69093 96416), Lumdiengjri (69093 96414), Rynjah (69093 96413), Laban (69093 96411) and Mawlai (69093 96417). The police emergency helpline is 112.