Shillong, July 7, 2025: Tension continues to brew between hawkers of Police Bazar and the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) over the relocation plan that aims to decongest the city’s busiest commercial hub. Despite efforts by MUDA to accommodate the street vendors within the MUDA Multi-Level Parking Lot, hawkers have expressed their dissatisfaction, demanding more accessible and visible locations for their business.

Initially, MUDA had proposed that hawkers be allowed to open shops on the ground floor of the parking complex. However, when the ground floor space allocation could not be implemented, the authorities shifted their offer and granted hawkers permission to set up shops on the upper floors of the facility. To further support the transition, the administration even started creating partitions for each hawker, designating proper spaces to maintain order and individual shop identity.

Despite these measures, most hawkers have refused to accept the upper-floor arrangement, citing low visibility and reduced footfall as primary concerns. According to several vendors, the upper floors are less frequented by shoppers and would severely affect their already fragile livelihood.

“We are not against shifting or regulation, but we need a place where people can see our shops. How will we survive if no customers come upstairs?” said one hawker, echoing the sentiments of many.

MUDA officials, however, stated that the move is necessary to bring order to the crowded Police Bazar streets and ensure better traffic flow and pedestrian safety. “We have tried to accommodate their demands. When the ground floor could not be provided due to space and design limitations, we offered the next best alternative. We are also investing in improving accessibility and visibility to the upper floors,” a MUDA official said.

This standoff has highlighted the larger issue of urban planning and the need for inclusive policy implementation that addresses both the city’s infrastructure needs and the livelihood concerns of its informal workforce. With the hawkers holding firm to their demands and the authorities trying to enforce a structured vending zone, the matter remains unresolved.

As negotiations continue, the hope is for a solution that balances the interests of both the hawkers and the city’s need for organized urban space.