SHILLONG: In a significant step towards improved urban management and public safety, the Urban Affairs Department has successfully relocated 29 street vendors from the congested Civil Hospital junction to a newly developed, purpose-built vending zone at the Public Works Department (PWD) premises in Barik.
The initiative is being widely described as a “double victory,” ensuring secure livelihoods for street vendors while restoring footpaths and improving mobility for pedestrians and emergency services.
Vendors who have shifted to the Barik vending zone expressed satisfaction with the new arrangement, citing substantial improvements over their previous roadside locations. The new site offers:
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Protection from rain and strong winds, a major concern in Shillong’s weather conditions
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Adequate space for orderly display of goods without encroaching on public walkways
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A permanent and secure vending location, reducing uncertainty and fear of eviction
Several vendors noted that the structured setup has enhanced both their working environment and customer interaction.
The relocation has had an immediate positive impact on traffic and pedestrian movement around the Civil Hospital junction.
With footpaths cleared, the area has witnessed unhindered access for ambulances and emergency vehicles, safer and more convenient walkways for pedestrians and reduced congestion and smoother traffic flow at a key city junction
The Barik relocation marks the second major vendor rehabilitation initiative in Shillong, following the successful redevelopment of Khyndailad (Police Bazar). Officials said the project aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision of creating inclusive urban spaces that balance mobility, safety and livelihood security.
“Our objective is to ensure that urban development does not come at the cost of dignity and livelihoods,” the Commissioner and Secretary of the Urban Affairs Department said. “We are expanding this model across key areas of Shillong to progressively improve both city infrastructure and vendor welfare.”
