Shillong, July 24: The Meghalaya government on Friday achieved a key milestone in its plan to reorganise street vending in Shillong, with the first phase of hawker relocation in the Khyndailad area formally being completed.
The move, seen as a major push for pedestrian-friendly urban space and regulated livelihoods, was described by MDA spokesperson and Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh as the outcome of sustained government efforts over the past two years.
Authorities have completed the construction of 365 vending stalls on the first floor of the MUDA parking lot. Of these, 282 were allotted to certified vendors through a transparent lottery process. The selection process ensured that only eligible hawkers—those who met pre-set criteria—were included, with the government stressing that the system left no room for preferential treatment.
A comprehensive survey undertaken by the government had identified over 1,000 street vendors across Shillong. In the Khyndailad locality alone, which was prioritised due to its status as one of the city’s busiest commercial zones, 407 vendors were deemed eligible to receive a Certificate of Vending (COV).
Eligibility parameters included continuous residence in Meghalaya for at least three years prior to the survey and active vending in the area for at least six months before enumeration. Of the 407 eligible vendors, 311 collected their COVs, and 282 chose to participate in the stall allotment process.
The relocation exercise, spearheaded jointly by the Urban Affairs Department and the district administration, has been described as a carefully calibrated balancing act. It aimed not only to ease growing pedestrian and traffic congestion in central Shillong but also to preserve the livelihoods of hundreds of hawkers now operating from an organised, safer environment.
To mitigate potential losses due to the change in location, each certified vendor will receive a one-time payment of Rs 1,000 and a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for the next five months. The support is intended to cushion the transition and help hawkers rebuild ties with their customer base.
A prominent hawkers’ association, considered a legitimate voice of the street vending community, has extended support to the initiative, noting that it ensures both road safety and economic sustenance.
While a few stalls remain unoccupied, the government stated that no formal complaints regarding withdrawal of COVs have been received so far. Officials reiterated that every certified vendor will be treated fairly and that leftover stalls will be allotted without bias.
The apparent success of the Khyndailad relocation has strengthened the government’s resolve to extend similar exercises to other parts of Shillong, especially in commercial areas where street congestion has become a routine concern. Authorities have indicated that future phases will prioritise zones based on economic significance, density of vendors, and the extent of public inconvenience caused by unregulated hawking.
With Phase 1 completed, the government aims to carry out full relocation in other areas within the next five months