Shillong administration bans Durga Puja pandals on PWD roads from next year

The East Khasi Hills district administration has announced that Durga Puja pandals will no longer be permitted to block Public Works Department (PWD) roads in Shillong starting next year. This decision follows objections from pressure groups, including the Khasi Students' Union (KSU), regarding traffic congestion and public inconvenience caused by temporary structures on narrow roads.

While pandals were allowed this year under specific conditions and PWD no-objection certificates, Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal stated that such arrangements cannot continue due to the resulting traffic diversions. For the current year, the administration has implemented measures to minimize disruption, such as modifying the Luckier Road pandal to keep it off the main carriageway and deploying extra police personnel at congestion points like RR Colony.

Organizers have been asked to submit undertakings and explore alternative venues for future celebrations. Baranwal noted that the requirement for undertakings is a standard administrative procedure for all major events, not exclusive to Durga Puja.