Guwahati News Desk: Durga Puja celebration this year is totally under strict guidelines due to COVID-19 pandemic, but this situation rises upset among riders.
Government of Assam has issued a notice to ban male pillion riding in Guwahati this Puja, which forced many riders to ride alone and enjoy Puja.
During a conversation with a resident of Guwahati Akash Chauhan, he said, “Pillion male riding in a bike is banned this Durga Puja due to COVID-19 but around five to six males were seen in a single car or traveller. So the guideline is nowhere usefull and fruitful.”
Whereas Deep J Sarma said, “Me and my friend were roaming in separate bike this puja which cost me much fuel as fuel price is still higher. Earlier we used to pillion drive which helped us to save money and time too. But this year due to these guidelines unwanted traffic jams seen in the city.”
We mostly received the same reaction while talking to male riders in the city. While few supported the banning as they justified with the unnecessary chaos created in the roads and also the accidents during the puja hours unlike previous years. This wasn’t like one could contact with the virus only when you ride along with a male partner but the government should have stressed more on creating awareness on the virus and made more stiff rules for good.
Meanwhile, single riders preferred staying home rather than going out for puja.
