Construction boom puts pressure on traffic management along ECD – GPF 4C Division Head

…as division updates presence along ECD

The rapid transformation of East Coast Demerara has brought with it a new headache for Police: traffic congestion. With new highways, expanding housing schemes, and ongoing construction projects, Regional Division 4C is facing mounting challenges in keeping roads safe and traffic flowing.

Assistant Commissioner Khali Pareshram, who heads the division, said the region has grown dramatically in recent years. Of the more than 50,000 house lots allocated nationally over the past five years, nearly 20,000 are within Division 4C. This surge has pushed the population to roughly 146,000 residents, stretching from the Industry Arch to Mahaica and inland into new housing schemes.
To cope with this expansion, the Guyana Police Force has increased its presence on the East Coast.
“We now have eight outposts and seven Police stations, with two more outposts under construction,” Pareshram explained.

The division also recently opened a new outpost along the Ogle Four-Lane Highway, a busy corridor that now connects the East Bank with the East Coast.
Still, the Commander said the changes have placed enormous strain on traffic management.
The ongoing four-lane expansion of the East Coast embankment, from Mahaica to Sheriff Street, has redirected many drivers onto the main East Coast Highway, creating bottlenecks during peak hours. The upcoming Mandela-to-Enmore bypass is also expected to add pressure as motorists seek alternate routes.
“Everybody actually is now coming onto the main East Coast Highway, which adds to the congestion,” Pareshram said. “Commercial areas are rapidly developing, and coupled with construction activity, it makes traffic flow more difficult.”

Adapting to changes
Despite these challenges, the Commander said they are adapting. He said officers are being strategically deployed to hotspots, and new infrastructure, like the Ogle outpost, is improving visibility along critical roadways.
“We are asking residents and motorists to be patient and cooperate with the Police,” the Assistant Commissioner stressed. “The safety and security of all residents is paramount.”
As East Coast communities continue to grow, authorities are warning that traffic issues will remain a concern. But, with new outposts, improved visibility, and long-term infrastructure upgrades, Police say they are determined to keep pace with development.
Just recently, several people have taken to social media to express their frustration over the recent traffic situation on the East Coast of Demerara. Some people have said that it is now taking them hours to get to Georgetown, something that has never happened before. They have attributed this to the recent construction of roads on the railway embankment.