Shillong, Aug 14: The state government has formally designated Khyndailad as a pedestrian-only zone over the Independence Day holidays.
The initiative, described by officials as a step towards granting citizens “freedom to walk and breathe,” will transform one of the city’s busiest hubs into a traffic-free space.
It was only two days ago that the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills announced that the entire stretch from Khyndailad towards Umsohsun, which runs in front of the MUDA building and down to Dreamland, will be pedestrian-only. However, this restriction was far from satisfactory for pedestrians as it will only be in place from 4pm to 9am daily.
Today, on the eve of Independence Day, the Khyndailad stretch was closed to traffic, with a large stage and smaller more intimate ones set up along the route for a music concert.
After a long-drawn out process, hawkers and street vendors were removed from the stretch of Khyndailad down to Dreamland last month. However, while this gave pedestrians more space to move about, it also encouraged vehicles to use the route, thereby bypassing the oftentimes gridlocked traffic on the main Police Bazar road. While four-wheelers honk their horns incessantly, two-wheelers often weave dangerously among the people walking along the route.
Today, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh called the occasion historic. “This is the first time we are celebrating Independence Day while also giving pedestrians their long-overdue freedom to walk without obstacles and breathe fresh air.”
The makeover of the area is hard to miss as the route has been draped in the tricolour, with a canopy of saffron, white and green stretching over the market lane. Shops and street vendors have joined in, adorning their spaces with flags and bunting.
Beyond the celebrations, the pedestrianisation drive aims to tackle chronic congestion, improve air quality and enhance the experience for visitors. The car-free zone is also set to host cultural performances, street art and open-air activities.
Today’s rain highlighted a big problem for the government’s genteel aims, namely the dilapidated state of the tiles laid more than 10 years ago. Many of them have shifted or sunk over the years, due to footfall and vehicular pressure as well as rain, leading to an uncomfortable and dangerous walking experience that is liable to get people wet and dirty when rainwater collects and forms filthy puddles along the route.
