Shillong, October 8: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday said the government will not evict hawkers without first identifying alternative locations that are commercially viable for them.

“There are so many places, we have not finalised, as we have to see if it will be a good business or not,” Dhar said while explaining the delay in relocating hawkers from major commercial areas.

He said the government cannot simply remove hawkers from the streets without ensuring that they have suitable alternatives.

“They are our own boys and girls. We cannot throw them out. We cannot just throw them on the roadside, they are our own people,” Dhar said.

Dhar said vending arrangements have already been completed at Khyndai Lad and Laitumkhrah, and that a similar model will be extended to other commercial stretches.

“Khyndai Lad, Laitumkhrah is done, but before doing it we will find a place where we can accommodate them. For other places like GS Road we will replicate the same model,” he said.

He said the delay was primarily due to the need to identify appropriate locations for the vendors.

“The reason for the delay is because I have to put them in the right place,” Dhar said, adding that the government was continuing to work on the issue.

“We are not disheartened, we are working only for the public. I will not tell you what I will do, but I will do what is necessary,” he said.

Polo Market allotted at Rs 50 per sq ft

On the Polo Market, Dhar said the property has been allotted on lease at Rs 50 per square foot following a transparent process.

“Already allotted. I forgot who, but we have done transparency, we have finalised. He quoted Rs 50 per sq ft, it is a good rate,” Dhar said.

He added that the agreement has already been signed and that he had approved the file for further action.