By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The large number of hawkers in Shillong town is becoming a major concern for the State Government and to effectively tackle the problem, the State Government has decided to come up with a hawkers’ policy.
The proposed hawkers’ policy is expected to streamline the menace of hawkers who do their business on the road side in different areas of the city, thus adding to congestion and chaos.
Talking to The Shillong Times here on Sunday, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said “We are currently working on the policy and it would be framed shortly.”
The main features of the proposed bill would be to safeguard the rights of the hawkers. The policy would also define the role of the government in their approach to the hawkers’ issue.
This proposed policy would also talk about certain demarcated areas in the city which can be converted into a hawker-free zone.
The policy would also seek to address the rehabilitation of these hawkers, Ampareen informed.
According to Ms Lyngdoh, the government would require the support of private land owners to relieve Shillong from the menace of hawkers.
Since years, Shillongites have been witnessing a ‘cat and mouse’ fight between the administration (Shillong Municipal Board) and the hawkers. The SMB conducts regular eviction drives but the number of hawkers has only increased over the years.
Among the most prominent areas of the city, which are overrun by hawkers is the GS Road from Motphran till Khyndai Lad point, all along the thoroughfare.
