Shillong, July 30: The Meghalaya High Court has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the relocation of hawkers and street vendors from congested roads in Shillong after taking note of the State authorities’ plans to shift eligible vendors to designated vending zones.
The order was passed on July 29 by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh in PIL No. 9 of 2024 filed by Andrew Aibok Jyrwa. The Court, however, directed that the matter be listed on August 20 to review compliance with assurances given by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).
The PIL had sought the relocation of street vendors from prime congested roadside areas to designated vending spaces. It also sought declaration of areas including the main road at Laitumkhrah, Fire Brigade Point, Khyndai Lad (Police Bazar) and G.S. Road towards Motphran as no-hawking zones, besides measures relating to food safety standards.
According to an affidavit filed by SMB Chief Executive Officer Prafulla Kumar Boro, the State Government has notified two vending zones — the SMB Parking Lot at Dhankheti and the compound of Brightwell Bungalow at Barik.
The Dhankheti vending zone has 32 stalls, including 22 for vendors from Laitumkhrah and 10 for vendors from Dhankheti. At Brightwell Bungalow, 151 stalls are proposed, including 87 for vendors from Phan Nonglait Park, Barik, Laban, Red Cross and adjoining areas and 64 for vendors from Laitumkhrah. Construction at Brightwell Bungalow is scheduled to be completed by August 5.
All vendors holding valid Certificates of Vending (CoVs) have been directed to relocate to the designated vending zones on or before August 17, 2026. Stalls will be allotted through a trade-wise draw of lots, while waste management and disposal at the vending zones will be handled by the Shillong Municipal Board.
The affidavit further stated that the relocation is intended to be permanent, subject to the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023.
SMB also informed the Court that stretches in Laitumkhrah, Dhankheti, Malki Point, Barik, Phan Nonglait Park, Red Cross, Laban and Lumshatsngi had been declared “No Vending Zones” through a notification issued on February 20, 2026, in the interest of smooth traffic movement and public convenience.
Only duly identified vendors possessing valid CoVs, or those whose claims have been recognised under the 2023 scheme, will be eligible for stalls. The Board said unauthorised persons or encroachers would not be entitled to claim space merely on the basis of previous occupation of public streets.
The Municipal Board maintained that no genuine vendor would be evicted without rehabilitation and said eligible vendors would first be provided alternative vending spaces before enforcement of the No Vending Zone notification in their respective areas.
Taking note of the affidavit, the High Court observed that construction of the stalls is expected to be completed by August 5 and handed over to the respective CoV holders by August 17.
The Bench held that in view of the assurances placed before it, nothing remained for further consideration and accordingly disposed of the PIL.
However, the Court ordered that the matter be listed on August 20, 2026, to verify compliance with the assurances given by the Shillong Municipal Board.
