SHILLONG: Intensified enforcement is set to begin across Shillong after the municipal deadline for street hawkers to shift to authorized vending zones expired, paving the way for immediate eviction and asset seizure of non-compliant vendors.
The Shillong Municipal Board’s directive—issued by the Chairperson of the Town Vending Committee and Chief Executive Officer via public notice SMB/TVC/Laitumkhrah/461/2025-26/96 dated July 16—required informal vendors operating on footpaths and roadways in Laitumkhrah, Dhankheti, Malki, Laban, Redcross, Barik, Phannonglait Park, Lumshatsngi, and Rilbong to relocate or face strict action.
The action follows an in-situ survey concluded in January 2024 under the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023. After resolving claims and objections, the Provisional Town Vending Committee finalized the list of verified vendors eligible for regulated vending spaces.
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To accommodate relocated traders, the Government of Meghalaya issued Notification No. UAU.5/2017/Pt.IV/102 on April 15, establishing dedicated vending hubs at the SMB Parking Lot in Dhankheti and the Brightwell Bungalow compound. Both sites are now structurally complete and operationally ready for vendors.
Simultaneously, Notification No. UAU.5/2017/Pt.IV/91 (retroactive to February 20) officially designated the main corridor through Laitumkhrah, Dhankheti, Malki Point, Barik, Phannonglait Park, Redcross, Laban, and Lumshatsngi as a strict non-vending zone.
This aims to ease urban congestion, improve traffic flow, and protect pedestrian pathways.
With the August 17 cutoff now passed, municipal authorities are empowered under the 2023 Scheme to initiate legal proceedings, impose penalties, and seize goods from any vendors found operating along the prohibited arterial routes.
(4FrontMedia news)
