Guwahati: After two recent incidents in which people stopped their vehicles on the carriageway of the Kumar Bhaskar Verma Bridge on the river Brahmaputra to celebrate birthdays, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration has installed warning signages on bridges to discourage vehicles from halting.The warning follows videos of birthday celebrations on the bridge that surfaced on social media last month, drawing widespread criticism over road-safety concerns. Although the incidents reportedly did not disrupt traffic, police said stopping vehicles on the carriageway poses a serious risk to road users.“Signboards have been installed on the stretch connecting the southern and northern banks of Guwahati, prohibiting drivers and motorists from stopping their vehicles and clicking pictures. Vehicles may stop only in emergencies, such as a mechanical breakdown or other exigencies,” said a traffic police officer at Bharalumukh Police Station.The carriageway over the Brahmaputra has been lined with signs reading “No Parking”, “No Stopping”, “No Photography”, and “No Stunts, Rash Driving and Speeding”. Police emphasised that the bridge is meant solely for uninterrupted movement of traffic and that unnecessary halts compromise road safety. They added that violations would invite strict legal action.The district administration has also urged citizens to celebrate special occasions responsibly and avoid using public roads and bridges as venues for personal events.Residents have welcomed the move, calling it necessary to curb reckless behaviour on the bridge. Many also demanded CCTV surveillance on bridges as a deterrent. “The decision is long overdue. Installing CCTV cameras on the bridge will help, as violators can be penalised instantly,” said city resident Kunjal Borkotoky.Another resident, Jayanta Das, said the directive should be extended to all flyovers in the city to prevent commuters from stopping vehicles on such structures.
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