Despite promises from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Shillong to campaign for the February 27 election will not cause disruption to the lives of ordinary citizens, the Superintendent of Police has warned people to avoid journeys in the city during Friday’s visit unless absolutely necessary.
In view of the need for safe and smooth passage of the PM, the police have put in place traffic restrictions that will apply from 12 noon to 2:30pm on the stated date.
However, citizens of Shillong and adjoining areas have been requested to “avoid journey in and around Shillong city unless required or on emergency purposes”.
The traffic restrictions are largely centred in and around Khyndailad, where Modi will make a campaign speech. Khyndailad will be pretty much off limits to vehicles during this period.
There will be no entry at Raj Bhavan point for vehicles coming from the Pinewood junction and wanting to proceed to IGP. Instead, they will be diverted at Raj Bhavan towards the All India Radio junction and into Lachumiere. Similarly, vehicles coming from the Gurudwara junction looking to go towards IGP will also be diverted into Lachumiere.
There will be no entry at the Shillong Centenary junction for vehicles coming from Civil Hospital point and wanting to proceed to IGP. They will either be diverted towards Barik Point or, for those wishing to go towards Police Bazar, they will have to take Keating Road.
Vehicles coming from Motphran or Umsohsun and wishing to proceed through Khyndailad will be diverted at Umsohsun junction and routed through Boucher Road.
There will be no entry at the Vishal Mart junction towards Khyndailad. Instead vehicles will have to progress towards the Cafe Coffee Day junction.
There will also be no entry for vehicles at Kachari Point from IGP towards Police Bazar. Vehicles will instead be diverted towards Raj Bhavan.
