Bhutan king to visit Guwahati, Police issues traffic restrictions

Digital Desk: Commercial vehicles won't be allowed to pass via the sections of National Highways 27 and 17 that are under the jurisdiction of Guwahati for a set period on November 3 and November 4 in light of the King of Bhutan’s visit.

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, is scheduled to make a two-day visit to Guwahati. Major General Vetsop Namgyel, the royal Bhutan ambassador to India, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met on Wednesday in Guwahati to discuss the matter.

To ensure the safety of the general public, particularly children, students, women, senior citizens, and people with disabilities on the roads, as well as to allow emergency vehicles unrestricted passage, the deputy commissioner of police for traffic in Guwahati has now issued directives restricting the movement of certain vehicles.

A statement issued before the visit stated, “In view of the visit of His Majesty, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan to Guwahati on 3rd and 4th November 2023 to ensure the safety of the public, especially vulnerable road users like children, students, women, senior citizens and differently-abled persons on the road and to give free passage to the emergency vehicles like Ambulances, Fire tenders etc, the following restrictions on the movement of vehicles shall be imposed on 3rd and 4th November 2023.”

The following limitations were stated in the release: 

• Commercial goods carrying vehicles with four wheels or more cannot be driven on NH-27 and NH-17 that pass through Guwahati City between the hours of 7:00 AM and 11:30 PM on November 3, 2023, and 6 AM and 12 PM on November 4, 2023.

• On November 3, 2023, from 5 AM to 2 PM, the operation of commercial goods-carrying vehicles with three wheels or more will be prohibited on DG Road and MG Road.