Guwahati Announces Traffic Restrictions and Diversions for Chhath Puja

The Guwahati Traffic Police has officially announced a series of traffic restrictions, vehicle diversions, and parking regulations across multiple parts of the city in preparation for the upcoming chhath puja celebrations scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2026. According to an official press release issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Traffic, these regulatory measures will remain strictly in effect starting from 11 am on November 15 until 11 am on November 16.

The primary objective behind introducing these temporary rules is to regulate vehicular movement effectively and guarantee the smooth conduct of the festival, especially around locations that traditionally witness massive gatherings of devotees. As part of these arrangements, commercial goods vehicles along with slow-moving vehicles such as handcarts, rickshaws, and pony carts are prohibited from operating on the MG Road stretch situated between Machkhowa Point and the Chief Justice Bungalow Point during the stipulated restriction hours. However, a specific exemption applies to slow-moving vehicles that are actively carrying puja materials specifically for the devotees.

Buses coming from Jalukbari will be barred from MG Road between Machkhowa Point and the Chief Justice residence.

City buses and ASTC buses originating from Khanapara and heading towards Bharalumukh are directed to utilize the GS Road and AT Road route, while being barred from passing through Panbazar or the Panbazar ROB. Furthermore, heavy vehicles including inter-district buses and red-coloured rural service buses operated under ASTC are restricted from entering the city from Jalukbari. City buses and vehicles transporting devotees remain exempted from this specific rule. Authorities have also explicitly requested all participating devotees to restrict their travel to four-wheelers only, as six-wheelers will not be permitted on the roads.

Specific diversion protocols have also been mapped out for different directions of traffic. Vehicles moving from Bharalumukh toward Panbazar and Chandmari will be diverted at Machkhowa onto the elevated corridor directed towards HB Road via TRP Road or AT Road. Meanwhile, vehicles traveling from Chandmari towards Panbazar, Bharalumukh, and Jalukbari face diversion at NB Hall towards HB Road. Devotees coming from the Bharalumukh side carrying puja materials are permitted to park at designated spots including Lachit Ghat, Lakhi Goli, Chamber Road, MS Road, SRCB Road, and the market side of MG Road, alongside the field of Sonaram Higher Secondary School.

Why it matters

These extensive traffic adjustments directly impact daily commuters, public transport operators, and festival participants navigating Guwahati during the celebrations. By establishing clear vehicular bans and designated parking zones, the local administration aims to prevent severe congestion around major gathering points while ensuring devotees can access ritual sites safely.