By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 20: The Shillong Cantonment Board is working on a strategy to relocate hawkers and vendors operating in the cantonment areas.
Shillong Cantonment Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ayush Maurya, acknowledged that the issue extends beyond the cantonment areas and affects the entire city of Shillong. While recognising that it is also a matter of livelihood, he stated that the vendors occupying roadsides cannot simply be ignored, especially given existing court guidelines on the matter.
“We have to provide them with an alternative location,” he said, adding that the board is actively formulating a relocation plan for hawkers within the cantonment area.
It is worth noting that a significant number of hawkers have encroached upon roads and pavements in areas like Jhalupara and Paltan Bazar, in some cases obstructing traffic.
“We are working on identifying a suitable location for their relocation, and the process should be completed within a couple of months. We may also introduce a rental system for them,” the CEO added.