In a sweeping move to transform Shillong’s bustling commercial heart, the Meghalaya Government is set to pedestrianise Khyndailad—popularly known as Police Bazaar—with an ambitious urban facelift that promises improved accessibility, vendor facilities, and enhanced aesthetics.
MDA 2 spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced that from 7 AM to 9 PM daily, Khyndailad will be designated a vehicle-free zone. “Pedestrianisation will be carried out immediately and timings will be 7 AM to 9 PM, where there will be no movement of vehicles at all except where passes will be issued. These passes will be mainly for dropping of school kids during school days. However, on holidays, there will be absolutely no movement of vehicles in the pedestrianised areas, except on emergency basis or unforeseen incidents,” he stated.
He confirmed that only residents of the affected stretch will be allowed vehicular access through official passes, and identification for pass issuance has already begun. “The state government has decided to go ahead with the planned pedestrianisation of Khyndailad. In this regard, we have tasked the Shillong Municipal Board with the responsibility of collecting details of residents of that particular stretch, so that we will be in a position to issue them passes for the cars. That will be only for the residents of that area; it will not be for the residents who are from outside but have their shops there,” Lyngdoh said.
Highlighting infrastructural upgrades, Lyngdoh noted, “We have sanctioned work which will start immediately for 15 washrooms; this will be on the basement of the MUDA complex. Also, there will be drinking water facilities.” He added, “We have also provided the hawkers with amenities like proper lighting.”
On vendor relocation, Lyngdoh expressed satisfaction with the judiciary’s response, stating, “Extremely happy that the High Court of Meghalaya has expressed its total satisfaction over the manner in which the state government has gone ahead on relocating vendors in a manner that is done very professionally to make sure there is sufficient space for all the road users and especially pedestrians to move in and around the city’s busiest commercial area, Khyndailad.”
After a strategic meeting with Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Urban Affairs Snaiwbhalang Dhar, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh and Shillong Municipal Board officials led by CEO PK Boro, Lyngdoh affirmed that visible changes will begin within the next fortnight. “There will be a major refurbishment of the entire stretch including the welcome signage, improvement and addition of tiles wherever tiles are not there or broken. There will be a proper facelift given to Khyndailad. Within the next two weeks you will see,” he assured.
As part of the government’s vendor support initiative, on August 5, Snaiwbhalang Dhar and Paul Lyngdoh will hand over ₹10,000 cheques to each vendor as promised.
