Shillong: The Meghalaya government has earmarked three locations to relocate over 400 eligible street vendors, besides offering relocation allowance of Rs 20,000, officials said on Wednesday.
“We have identified three locations within the prime location of the city to relocate the street vendors. They are – inside the MUDA parking lot and outside the complex, the municipal parking lot opposite SBI Main Branch,” a senior Urban Affairs department official told a news agency.
He stated that a digital in-situ survey, carried out in 23 city locations between December 2023 and January 2024, identified 1,400 vendors, with 760 deemed eligible.
In Khyndailad alone, 457 vendors were surveyed, with 407 declared eligible during hearing processes for claims and objections, which were held between February and May 2025, he said.
As relocation processes began last week under the provisions of the Street Vendors Act, 2014, several hawkers protested.
On Tuesday (July 1), the street vendors protested at the entrance of the main secretariat, violating orders issued by the district administration prohibiting protests near the secretariat.
The Urban Affairs department also noted that the entire enforcement and relocation drive is being conducted in compliance with directions from the Meghalaya High Court, which is monitoring the process under two PILs related to street vending and traffic congestion.
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Authorities plan to gradually extend this exercise to other Shillong localities. This forms part of a long-term strategic plan designed to ensure street vending operates lawfully and orderly, thus striking a balance between urban convenience and the protection of vendors’ economic well-being.
