The Meghalaya High Court on Monday observed that the process of identifying vending zones in Shillong is progressing satisfactorily and directed the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to file a fresh status affidavit by January 28.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Soumen Sen made the observation while hearing a public interest litigation related to the regulation of street vending in the State capital, particularly in Laitumkhrah, a major commercial and residential area.
The court took on record an affidavit submitted by the SMB detailing the steps taken to identify vending zones in Laitumkhrah and noted that tangible progress had been made.
According to the affidavit, 43 claims were received from street vendors, of which 14 had already been included in an earlier list published by the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC).
The remaining 29 applicants were called for hearings, following which 15 were found to be genuine.
Their names have since been recommended to the PTVC for further consideration, the court was informed.
The bench was also told that at a meeting held on December 4, the PTVC resolved to finalise the list of street vendors in the Laitumkhrah area once the government formally notifies the designated vending zones.
In addition, a sub-committee of the PTVC has been constituted to verify claims and objections and to frame a standard operating procedure for hearings, with the approval of the Hawkers’ Association.
Taking note of the submission that the identification of hawking locations is likely to be completed by the first week of January 2026, the High Court listed the matter for further hearing on January 28.
