Shillong, August 12: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday visited the Polo Vendors’ Market in Shillong to review the ongoing rehabilitation of street vendors, interact with vendors and distribute cheques under the Chief Minister’s Urban Livelihood Grant (CM ULG).
The Chief Minister was received by officials of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and members of the Town Vending Committee (TVC). During the programme, the TVC Chairman briefed him on the functioning of the market and the relocation process undertaken for vendors from the Polo and Jail Road areas.
Interacting with the vendors, Sangma said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that the general public could “walk freely”, while also providing immediate financial support to vendors affected by the relocation.
Under the CM ULG scheme, vendors holding a valid Certificate of Vending (CoV) are eligible for financial assistance of Rs 20,000, comprising an immediate payment of Rs 10,000 and monthly support of Rs 2,000 for five months. A total of 65 Certificates of Vending have been issued for the vending zone opposite SBI, while 106 Certificates have been issued for the vending zone near Matri Mandir.
Appealing for cooperation from the public and vendors, the Chief Minister said the initiative represented a way for society to move forward together. He acknowledged that challenges would remain but stressed that solutions could only be achieved through cooperation and collective efforts.
Sangma also highlighted the rehabilitation work undertaken in Polo and other locations, stating that similar support could be extended to people in other areas. He urged all stakeholders to work together towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society.
Later, the Chief Minister visited different sections of the market and interacted directly with vendors to understand their business conditions and experiences following the relocation.
The Polo Vendors’ Market has been established on a 2,270-square-metre site, with the hawkers’ market occupying 620 square metres. The facility has a total of 132 vending stalls, of which 48 are allotted to vendors from Polo and 84 to vendors from Jail Road. So far, 72 vendors have taken possession of their allotted stalls.
The relocation is being carried out under the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023, through joint efforts of the Urban Affairs Department and the East Khasi Hills district administration. The rehabilitation initiative, which began in Khyndailad and Civil Hospital areas, has now been extended to the Polo and Jail Road stretches.
The market has been equipped with basic civic amenities to support the day-to-day activities of vendors. A toilet facility has been provided at the Polo Municipal Market, while LED bulbs have been installed in each stall to improve visibility during evening hours. Eight halogen lamps have also been installed.
The designated vending areas accommodate different categories of vendors, including those selling vegetables, fruits, garments, fast food, fish, chicken and pan products.
The relocation initiative by the Meghalaya Government and the Shillong Municipal Board is primarily aimed at improving pedestrian movement, reducing traffic congestion and creating safer public spaces in busy commercial areas of Shillong. It also forms part of a broader urban management effort to shift street vending activities into planned vending zones equipped with improved sanitation, waste management and civic facilities.
Under the current urban management plan, identified high-traffic stretches are being treated as No-Vending Zones, while eligible local vendors are being registered and issued official Certificates of Vending to operate within designated government-managed vending areas.
The Chief Minister’s visit reflects the government’s continued focus on inclusive urban development, protection of livelihoods and direct engagement with street vendors and other grassroots stakeholders in Shillong.
