Shillong, July 24 : In a significant step towards urban decongestion and organized street vending, the Urban Affairs Department, in collaboration with the East Khasi Hills District Administration, has successfully completed the relocation of street vendors from Khyndailad to the first floor of the MUDA Parking Lot. This extensive exercise, marked by active participation from vendor associations, aligns with directives from the High Court of Meghalaya and the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023.
The relocation effort addresses critical directives from the High Court in PIL No. 9/2024 (concerning street vendors) and PIL No. 17/2021 (regarding traffic congestion), which mandated the State Government to clearly demarcate vending areas and curb illegal encroachments.
A detailed survey identified 1,400 street vendors within the Shillong Municipal Board area. As part of this initial phase, 407 vendors from Khyndailad were found eligible for a Certificate of Vending (CoV), with 311 successfully collecting theirs. To accommodate these vendors, 365 new vending stalls were constructed on the 1st floor of the MUDA Parking Lot, and 282 have already been allotted and occupied through a transparent draw of lots.
Tellme Nongbri, Secretary of the Roadside Hawkers Association, has commended the Government for its proactive initiative and continued support to the street vending community.
Beyond providing new vending spaces, the Urban Affairs Department is also extending crucial financial support to vendors holding a valid CoV. This includes a one-time relocation allowance of ₹10,000 and a monthly allowance of ₹2,000 for a period of five months, easing their transition.
This successful relocation in Khyndailad marks the beginning of a broader, phased initiative. The department plans to expand this systematic relocation process to other localities across Shillong until all registered and eligible vendors are accommodated in officially notified vending zones, thereby fostering a more organized and accessible urban environment.
