By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) on Thursday morning removed several roadside stalls selling vegetables, fishes and other fast food items in the Keating Road area of the city.
According to sources, the SMB removed all the temporary establishments as they did not have the necessary permission.
Due to the presence of these roadside shops, the Keating Road witnesses traffic jam everyday. These unauthorized outlets and the fast food stalls are also alleged to be functioning 24 hours a day and they do brisk business during evening hours.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, a senior SMB official said these roadside stalls were illegally functioning. These roadside stalls/makeshift establishments were also alleged to have encroached the road and were illegally occupying PWD land for which the area had to deal with severe congestions particularly during the peak hours.
Meanwhile, the SMB action drew flak.
“I am an old lady and is dependent on these makeshift markets since I cannot go to Iewduh or nearby Laban for vegetables, fishes etc. but now I have no other choice,” she said.
Similarly, another resident of the area said that the move of the SMB was fully biased since it has only targeted a particular section of the society.
Meanwhile, a meeting was convened by some senior residents of the area on Friday to take stock of the situation.