Shillong, July 23, 2025: In a bid to bring structure and hygiene to the city’s street vending ecosystem, the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) has initiated the construction of new vendor stalls at the MUDA Complex. The move is part of a broader plan to regularise vending activities, ensuring cleaner public spaces and better working conditions for certified street vendors.
The newly constructed stalls offer improved infrastructure with structured layouts, lighting, and sanitation provisions. Only vendors who have been verified and issued certificates through the SMB’s official survey process will be allotted these stalls.
“Providing a safe and regulated environment for vendors is essential. These stalls are a step toward improving the livelihood of certified vendors while maintaining order in public spaces,” an SMB official stated.
Crackdown on Unauthorized Vending
Coinciding with the rollout of the new stalls, July 22 also marked the final deadline for unauthorized vendors to vacate city streets and footpaths. Enforcement teams conducted thorough inspections, seizing items and dismantling makeshift stalls found in violation of municipal guidelines.
During the operation, officers were seen verifying vending certificates and engaging with vendors across several locations. While many vendors complied, others expressed concerns over delays in the certification process, claiming to have submitted applications that remain unprocessed.
A Balanced Approach
The SMB clarified that the crackdown aims not only at removing illegal encroachments but also at creating a fair vending system for all. “We want to ensure that those who have followed the rules and completed the survey process get their rightful place. At the same time, illegal vending cannot be allowed to continue unchecked,” the official reiterated.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Board will continue to monitor developments and provide support to help vendors integrate into the new system. Vendors who are yet to complete the registration process have been encouraged to do so through proper legal channels.
