The Urban Affairs Department of the Meghalaya government on Thursday said street vendors were successfully relocated from the congested Khyndailad area in Shillong to a notified vending zone in a nearby complex. The move comes in response to directives from the High Court of Meghalaya, which had instructed the state government to clearly demarcate vending zones and ensure that illegal encroachments are curbed through legal action. The court’s order was aimed at addressing the twin issues of unregulated street vending and traffic congestion in central Shillong.
Officials said the initiative was marked by the participation of street vendors, who worked closely with the street vendor associations, Shillong Municipal Board, and the district administration to ensure a smooth and timely transition. Under the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023, the Shillong Municipal Board conducted a comprehensive survey of 1,400 vendors. In the first phase, priority was accorded to those operating in Khyndailad. Of the total surveyed, 407 vendors were found eligible to receive a Certificate of Vending (CoV), and 311 have already collected their certificates.
To support the relocation, 365 vending stalls were built on the first floor of the MUDA parking facility. A total of 282 stalls have been allotted and occupied so far through a transparent lottery process. Roadside Hawkers Association secretary Tellme Nongbri welcomed the initiative, describing it as a “proactive” measure and praising the government for its continued engagement with the vending community. To further support certified vendors, the Urban Affairs Department has rolled out a relocation assistance package that includes a one-time financial grant of ₹10,000 and a monthly support of ₹2,000 for five months.