Shillong, July 24, 2025: In a major urban regulation and rehabilitation effort, the Urban Affairs Department, in collaboration with the East Khasi Hills District Administration, has completed the relocation of street vendors from Khyndai Lad to the first floor of the MUDA Parking Lot, Shillong.
The move follows an extensive consultative process involving the Town Vending Committee (TVC), Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), Street Vendor Associations, and the vendors themselves. Authorities hailed the cooperation of the vendors as a key factor in ensuring the smooth and timely relocation.
This relocation was carried out in compliance with directions from the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya, specifically related to PIL No. 9/2024 concerning street vending and PIL No. 17/2021 on traffic congestion. The Court had directed the State Government to demarcate legal vending zones and initiate strict action against unauthorised street vending.
As part of the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023, a comprehensive survey of 1,400 vendors was conducted within the SMB limits. In the first phase, relocation was prioritised for vendors at Khyndai Lad. Out of the total, 407 vendors were found eligible to receive a Certificate of Vending (CoV), with 311 already having collected theirs.
To accommodate the vendors, 365 stalls were constructed at the designated relocation site. So far, 282 stalls have been allotted and occupied via a transparent lottery system. Shri Tellme Nongbri, Secretary of the Roadside Hawkers Association, lauded the initiative, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of vendors while ensuring urban order.
In a supportive gesture, the Urban Affairs Department is also providing a relocation assistance package:
A one-time grant of ₹10,000
A monthly allowance of ₹2,000 for five months
Officials clarified that this initiative is part of a larger citywide plan to reorganise street vending. The relocation will continue in phases across other parts of Shillong, aiming to place all registered and eligible vendors in officially notified vending zones.
This marks a critical step toward balancing livelihood protection with urban development goals, setting a precedent for structured and inclusive planning in Shillong’s public spaces.
