SHILLONG: The new Highway bypass at the 3rd Mile area has been hailed as a “blessing” for daily commuters, finally unclogging a bottleneck that has seen years of grueling traffic congestion. However, for the local roadside vendors, this infrastructural milestone has turned into a bitter economic struggle.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the 3rd Mile stretch had evolved into a vibrant roadside market. Starting with 11 fruit stalls, the area became a favourite pit-stop for tourists and travellers. Vendors offered a rich variety of local seasonal fruits alongside premium imports, often raking in thousands of rupees in daily sales.
Today, that bustling economy has vanished. As the government diverted the main traffic flow to the new, more direct Highway bypass, the old route—and the shops lining it—have been left isolated.
The impact of the new road was felt almost overnight. The vendors, who once served a steady stream of tourists, now look out at an empty road.
”Earlier, we could easily earn thousands per day. Now, even making a few hundred is a struggle,” one vendor lamented. “Most of our stock consists of expensive, perishable fruits brought in from outside the state. With no customers, they are simply rotting on the shelves.”
The numbers tell a grim story. There are only 11 remaining stalls and six others were forced to shut down due to zero footfall.
While the vendors are quick to clarify that they support the new highway—acknowledging that it has solved the region’s massive traffic woes—they are now pleading with the authorities for their own survival. Those who remain are only there because they have no other means of livelihood.
The vendors are currently monitoring the final stages of the Highway’s completion to understand the new traffic patterns. Their next move? A formal petition to the authorities.
”We are happy the traffic is gone, but we cannot survive here anymore,” a spokesperson for the vendors stated. “We will soon approach the management and the government to request a designated vending zone near the new Highway so we can rebuild our lives.”
