At a time when visuals of eviction drives against street vendors from different parts of the country continue to dominate social media, the Meghalaya government has projected its urban redevelopment strategy as one centred on rehabilitation rather than displacement. As the state expands its street vendor relocation programme across Shillong, the government has maintained that its approach is based on providing alternative vending spaces with basic civic amenities before enforcing restrictions in no-vending zones. The government aims to accommodate all eligible and registered street vendors within the Shillong Municipal area in designated vending spaces by the end of September, after which notified no-vending zones will be enforced in accordance with the law. The administration expects the exercise to ease traffic congestion, improve pedestrian movement and create a more organised urban environment.
The ongoing relocation of vendors forms part of the implementation of the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023, under which designated vending zones have been created to ensure that urban development proceeds without depriving vendors of their livelihoods.
Reacting to the initiative, Adviser to the Meghalaya Government’s Social Welfare Department Paul Lyngdoh, who had initiated the redevelopment exercise during his tenure as Tourism Minister, said, “I am happy that I was part of the team which was instrumental to get entire Khyndailad strech vacated and this only a part of wholesome urban development where we do not through people away but we construct an alternative places for them and those places has all facilities water electricity and there are washrooms and vendor are well protected from elements.”
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya High Court has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the relocation of roadside hawkers in Shillong after the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) provided a firm timeline for the rehabilitation process.
The Urban Affairs Department, in coordination with the East Khasi Hills district administration, has successfully facilitated the relocation of street vendors from the Polo and Jail Road areas as part of the ongoing implementation of the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023. The exercise builds on the earlier relocation of vendors from Khyndailad and the Civil Hospital area to designated vending zones.
Vendors operating along Jail Road, from OB Shopping Mall to the petrol pump near the MTC Complex, have been shifted to the designated vending zone at the Parking Lot opposite SBI, where they have already commenced business from newly constructed vending stalls. Another designated vending zone near Matri Mandir in Polo has also been developed to accommodate relocated vendors.
The vending zone near Matri Mandir has a capacity of 132 stalls, of which 70 are currently occupied, while the vending zone at the Parking Lot opposite SBI has a capacity of 79 stalls, with nine stalls currently occupied as the relocation process continues. The government has also scheduled the relocation of 22 vendors from Secretariat Hills and IGP Junction to the SBI Parking Lot vending zone.
Officials said the relocation exercise followed an extensive consultative process. In the case of Polo alone, the Town Vending Committee held 29 formal meetings with vendor associations and other stakeholders before implementation. The process was carried out in accordance with the provisions of law while giving due consideration to the concerns, livelihoods and dignity of vendors through the active participation of all stakeholders.
The government said vendors had willingly shifted to the designated vending spaces without the need for strict enforcement. According to the Urban Affairs Department, the newly constructed vending stalls provide a more organised and suitable environment for vendors to conduct their business activities, with the positive response reflecting sustained cooperation throughout the relocation process.
The department also acknowledged the contributions of the Town Vending Committee, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Shillong Municipal Board, Shillong Traffic Police, vendor associations and other stakeholders, stating that their coordinated efforts ensured the relocation process was carried out smoothly while safeguarding the dignity and livelihoods of street vendors.
To ease the financial burden arising from relocation, the state government has announced the Chief Minister’s Urban Livelihood Grant. Under the scheme, vendors holding a valid Certificate of Vending will receive a relocation assistance package of ₹20,000, comprising an upfront payment of ₹10,000 and a monthly allowance of ₹2,000 for the subsequent five months. A total of 65 Certificates of Vending have been issued for the Parking Lot opposite SBI and 106 Certificates of Vending for the vending zone near Matri Mandir, Polo.
