Shillong, October 21: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) has declared the entire stretch of GS Road, Motphran and Iewmawlong as a “No-Vending Zone” with immediate effect, directing all eligible street vendors to relocate to designated vending areas on or before November 25, 2026.
In a notice issued on October 16, the Chairperson of the Town Vending Committee and Chief Executive Officer of the Shillong Municipal Board stated that the decision was taken in the interest of ensuring smooth traffic flow and public convenience.
The notice stated that an in-situ survey of street vendors was conducted by the Town Vending Committee in accordance with the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023. The survey was completed in January 2024, following which claims and objections were processed as prescribed under the scheme. The final list of eligible street vendors was subsequently approved by the Provisional Town Vending Committee.
According to the notice, the Meghalaya government, acting on the recommendation of the Town Vending Committee, notified the ground floor parking area of the Iewmawlong Parking Lot as a designated vending zone for vendors from GS Road, Motphran and Iewmawlong. The vending zone was notified through a government notification dated May 12, 2026.
The Municipal Board stated that the local authority, under the directions of the government, has been undertaking the development of vending spaces and the provision of basic amenities within the notified vending zone. The notice further stated that the entire stretch of GS Road, Motphran and Iewmawlong has been declared a No-Vending Zone with immediate effect, prohibiting all street vending activities in these areas.
Consequently, all street vendors holding valid Certificates of Vending (COVs) have been directed to shift their businesses to the designated vending zone by November 25, 2026. The SMB warned that failure to comply with the relocation directive would attract action and penalties under the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023.
It further stated that any goods found being sold or displayed within the notified No-Vending Zones after the stipulated deadline would be removed in accordance with the provisions of law. The directive marks another step in the state government’s efforts to regulate street vending activities in Shillong by relocating eligible vendors to designated areas while keeping major roads and public spaces free from obstruction.
