Traffic from Motphran to Mawlong Market and Them Iewmawlong, the residence of the Kharmetor and Harijans, has resumed from Monday.
It maybe noted, the District Authorities have decided to reopen the road after six years of closure following clashes between the two ethnic groups.
As it was the first day of reopening, drivers appeared cautious and unfamiliar with the new traffic patterns. However, traffic police have been stationed in the Motphran area to guide vehicles through the new route and monitor the flow from Them Iewmawlong. Police personnel are also patrolling the Iewmawlong area, where the Harijan community resides.
While commercial vehicle drivers, particularly bus operators and market vendors, welcomed the reopening, some residents expressed concerns, stating that the government must first address the presence of the Kharmetor in the area before fully allowing traffic.
Most commercial buses now operating from Them Iewmawlong to Bimola originate from Tynring, Smit, and other locations. The government has set for the reopened road from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Local residents have voiced their worries over the past six years about how the road closure has impacted their livelihoods. However, many believe that the limited operating hours will exacerbate traffic congestion in the evenings, as Shillong already struggles with heavy traffic during peak hours.
