Shillong: Artisans in Shillong are racing to finish Durga Puja idols while staring down an uncertain future. They may soon lose their workspace because the property they use has been sold. These workers spend days crafting figures for the annual event, yet they have no clear path to find a new spot for their traditional trade.
Meanwhile, the East Khasi Hills district administration issued a final warning on public space usage. Officials will allow current Durga Puja pandals on Public Works Department roads to stand for this year, but they will not permit this arrangement in the future. Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal confirmed this shift after intense pushback from local groups regarding traffic jams in areas like RR Colony, Lachumiere, and Laitumkhra.
The administration consulted with local Dorbar Shnongs, police, and other stakeholders to handle the complaints. Because the objections came late in the planning cycle, moving the structures now would cause too much chaos. Baranwal stated, "The administration had held several rounds of consultations through sector magistrates with local Dorbar Shnongs, police station officers-in-charge and other stakeholders to address the concerns."
Only one of the 69 total pandals in the district currently sits on PWD land. Officials are now working with the Superintendent of Police to manage traffic during the festival. Extra officers will hit the streets to keep cars moving. Committees must find better sites next year, as the city will no longer tolerate blocked roads.
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