Increasing vehicles and unchecked roadside parking are turning Guwahati’s streets into constant traffic jams
Parking woes in Guwahati continue to remain one of the city’s most persistent urban problems. From major commercial hubs to residential localities, illegal parking and roadside congestion have become a daily reality for commuters and residents alike. Despite repeated drives by the traffic police, installation of “No Parking” boards, and imposition of hefty fines, many vehicle owners continue to park indiscriminately on roadsides, creating inconvenience for pedestrians, commuters, and local businesses.
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With Guwahati witnessing a rapid rise in the number of private vehicles over the past few years, the city’s infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with the growing demand for parking spaces. Narrow roads, increasing commercial establishments, and inadequate planned parking zones have further worsened the situation.
A recent visit by GPlus to several parts of the city revealed how illegal parking continues to choke important roads and lanes, affecting both traffic movement and daily life.
One such area is the road beside Pantaloons at Lachit Nagar. The road, which already suffers from damaged stretches and broken portions in several places, has become even narrower due to two-wheelers parked on both sides of the street. Although a clear “No Parking” signboard is installed in the area, vehicles continue to occupy the roadside throughout the day.
The situation becomes particularly difficult during peak hours when vehicles approach from both directions. Due to the reduced space available for movement, commuters often struggle to pass through the road, leading to traffic snarls and frequent arguments between drivers.
Apart from roadside congestion, pedestrians are also facing difficulties due to illegal parking on footpaths. In several parts of the city, especially in busy commercial areas, two-wheelers are often seen parked directly on pedestrian pathways, forcing people to walk on the main road amid moving traffic. Residents say this not only creates inconvenience but also raises safety concerns for children, elderly citizens, and daily commuters using the footpaths.
Local shopkeepers in the area say the problem is also affecting businesses.
Speaking to GPlus, one of the food stalls owners from the locality stated that customers often avoid visiting them because of the parking chaos.
“People come here to shop, but many leave without ordering because they cannot find proper parking space. Customers do not want the hassle of searching for parking or worrying about fines,” the shopkeeper said.
According to several locals, the issue is not limited to commercial areas alone. Residential localities are also facing increasing inconvenience due to roadside parking.
Residents of the Uzan Bazar area raised similar concerns regarding the roads surrounding the newly developed Sati Radhika Udyan. Although the area has designated parking facilities, many people continue to park vehicles directly on the roadside.
Speaking with GPlus, local resident Hirokjyoti Nath said that despite the availability of parking space inside the premises, several people intentionally choose to park outside for convenience.
“Two-wheelers, four-wheelers, buses, and tempos are all parked on the roadside. Sometimes vehicles are double-parked or even triple-parked, which blocks the road almost entirely,” he said.
He further added that the situation creates severe inconvenience for residents and daily commuters, especially during busy hours.
“The road becomes extremely congested, and it becomes difficult for vehicles to move smoothly. Even emergency movement can become problematic because of careless roadside parking,” Nath added.
The growing number of vehicles in the city has also exposed another side of the issue, the lack of adequate parking infrastructure.
Many residents believe that Guwahati simply does not have enough organised parking facilities to support the increasing number of private vehicles, especially four-wheelers.
Speaking to GPlus, Bishal Hussain, a working professional, highlighted the difficulty faced by car owners in finding safe and accessible parking spaces.
“There are still some options available for two-wheelers, but it becomes extremely difficult for four-wheelers,” he said.
According to Hussain, many vehicle owners are forced to park far away from their destination due to the shortage of designated parking areas.
“To park a car properly, sometimes people have to leave it at a distant location. That creates tension regarding the safety of the vehicle. It also becomes difficult for elderly people who cannot walk long distances after parking far away,” he explained.
He added that Guwahati urgently requires more organised and accessible parking spaces if the city wants to tackle the issue effectively.
However, while many people complain about the lack of parking facilities, authorities and residents also point out that convenience and impatience often encourage illegal parking.
During GPlus’ visit, some vehicle owners admitted that they intentionally park on roadsides because they do not want to spend time searching for proper parking spots.
One such commuter candidly stated that people often prefer easy access over following parking rules.
“I had just stopped to buy something quickly. If I keep searching for a parking spot, it wastes a lot of time,” he said.
Such attitudes, according to residents, continue to contribute significantly to the worsening situation across the city.
Traffic officials say enforcement drives are being conducted regularly, but repeated violations remain a major challenge.
Speaking with GPlus, a traffic police official said that fines are imposed almost every day on people parking in no-parking zones. However, many offenders continue to repeat the same violations despite paying penalties.
“We regularly collect fines from people parking in restricted areas, but many are least bothered about the Rs 2,000 fine,” the official said.
He further revealed that several offenders return the very next day and again park illegally in the same locations.
“There are people who repeatedly violate the rules even after being fined multiple times,” he added.
The official, however, mentioned that the situation has improved compared to earlier years due to increased monitoring and awareness drives.
“The issue has reduced to some extent from before, but the problem still continues in many areas,” he said.
Urban planners and residents believe that solving Guwahati’s parking crisis will require a combination of stricter enforcement, better urban planning, and behavioural change among citizens.
Experts suggest that the city needs more multi-level parking facilities, organised roadside parking systems, and stricter monitoring in congested zones. At the same time, many believe that citizens must also develop greater civic responsibility and avoid parking carelessly for personal convenience.
As Guwahati continues to expand rapidly, the parking crisis is emerging as a significant urban challenge affecting traffic flow, businesses, public convenience, and road safety. Unless authorities and citizens work together to address the issue, illegal parking is likely to remain a daily struggle for the city and its residents.