What was envisioned as a solution to chronic traffic congestion has instead deepened chaos at Basistha Chariali, one of south Guwahati’s busiest junctions. Following the completion of the flyover connecting Khanapara to Lalmati, commuters say the junction has become more dangerous and disorganised than before.
Instead of smoother movement, daily traffic at Basistha Chariali is now marked by unmanaged crossings, broken approach roads, and rising safety risks for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The newly completed Khanapara–Lalmati flyover has failed to ease congestion at Guwahati’s Basistha Chariali, with commuters facing unmanaged traffic, missing signals, and frequent gridlocks. Vehicles from all directions enter the junction simultaneously, creating daily chaos and increasing safety risks during peak hours.
No Signals, No Enforcement
At present, the junction operates without traffic signals, forcing vehicles from multiple directions to enter the crossing at the same time. During peak hours, cars, buses, e-buses, two-wheelers, and e-rickshaws compete aggressively for limited road space, often resulting in complete standstills.
Commuters say the absence of regular traffic police deployment has worsened the situation. “For long stretches of the day, there is no traffic enforcement at all. Everyone is just trying to push through,” said a daily office-goer who uses the route to reach central Guwahati.
Pedestrians at Risk
Local residents have flagged growing danger for pedestrians, particularly students, elderly people, and those accessing nearby markets and residential lanes. With no designated pedestrian crossings or traffic control, crossing the road has become a risky task.
Broken and uneven roads near the flyover approaches further add to the hazard, especially at night and during rain.
South Guwahati’s Key Bottleneck
Basistha Chariali serves as a critical gateway for south Guwahati, linking neighbourhoods such as Khanapara, Lalmati, and parts of the National Highway corridor. Any disruption at this junction has a cascading effect on traffic movement across the city.
Urban observers note that while the flyover may have improved through-movement for some vehicles, the lack of integrated junction planning has shifted congestion from one level to another.
Questions Over Planning
Residents and commuters are questioning whether an adequate traffic impact assessment was carried out before opening the flyover. They argue that infrastructure expansion without supporting measures—such as signals, lane discipline, signage, and enforcement can worsen ground realities.
As Guwahati continues to expand, traffic experts say junction-level planning is as important as flyover construction.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
With increasing vehicle density and limited road width, Guwahati’s older junctions are highly sensitive to design flaws. Chaos at Basistha Chariali highlights the broader challenge of aligning flyover projects with on-ground traffic management and pedestrian safety.
What Happens Next
Commuters and local residents are demanding immediate installation of traffic signals, regular deployment of traffic police, and urgent repairs to damaged road stretches. An official response from traffic or civic authorities is awaited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Where is the traffic problem being reported?
The issue is at Basistha Chariali in south Guwahati, near the newly completed Khanapara–Lalmati flyover.
Q2. Why has congestion increased despite the flyover?
The junction lacks traffic signals and enforcement, allowing vehicles from all directions to enter simultaneously, leading to confusion, gridlock, and safety risks.
