Guwahati, May 15: The bustling construction activity across Guwahati is fuelling hopes for a modern skyline, with residents eagerly anticipating improvements in urban flooding, traffic flow, and the overall development of the city. However, this rapid transformation carries hidden concerns that are affecting the livelihoods of many locals.
A key project is the 5-km-long GNB Road flyover, which extends from Noonmati to Guwahati Club. Local shopkeepers report significant declines in business due to the construction. “There are no customers. We sit here all day waiting. Earlier, we had a steady flow of visitors. Now, with the lack of proper parking, footfall has dropped drastically,” lamented Sanjib Horo, a salesperson at a Chandmari watch shop.
The situation has worsened with debris, tools, and metal rods obstructing paths, leading to the perception that parking unavailability is driving away even potential customers. Dhanjit Barman, owner of GS Traders, expressed frustration over the dust and chaos from the construction site. “The footpaths are in terrible shape; I’ve had to hang plastic curtains to protect my merchandise from the dust,” he said.
The financial strain is impacting not just shop owners but their employees as well. Barman lamented, “I had to let go of my staff because of the losses. How can I pay them when I can barely afford a meal myself?” Concerns raised by affected shopkeepers echo across businesses from Guwahati Club to Chandmari, with many fearing permanent damage to their establishments. “Once the flyover is completed, people will drive past above us — no one will stop to visit our shops,” warned Narayan Medhi, owner of Electronic Plaza on Maniram Dewan Road.
Krishna Das, a pharmacist at Sanjivani Mediplus, echoed these concerns, noting, “We’ve been struggling with losses for a while now. The shop next door has permanently shut down. It’s a difficult time for everyone here.”
Despite these worries, PWD (Roads) Chief Engineer Sanjiv Shyam reassured that the current state of affairs is temporary. “I understand their woes and how much this has affected them, but it will not be permanent. We received similar complaints during the construction of the Zoo Road flyover, and now that it’s complete, businesses are thriving, with good parking provisions,” he said.
Shyam described the GNB construction as a “miracle,” stating, “It is rare to construct a flyover without closing off roads, especially in a congested place like Guwahati.” He explained that construction typically requires full road closure, but in this case, local contractors were chosen with an understanding of public accessibility needs.
The GNB Flyover is slated for completion before the upcoming monsoon season. “The project has taken longer than expected because workers can only utilize three to four hours a day, as the roads are occupied most of the time,” Shyam concluded.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/guwahati/traders-see-slump-as-gnb-flyover-work-hits-business-pwd-says-pain-short-term-1577750
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Publish Date: 2025-05-17 10:19:00
