Shillong: A major eviction drive was carried out in the Khyndailad area of Shillong on Tuesday, as the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) dismantled stalls and confiscated goods belonging to street vendors operating without valid Certificates of Vending (COV).
The enforcement action came in compliance with a Meghalaya High Court directive aimed at regulating unorganised vending in the city’s congested commercial hubs.
The High Court had earlier criticised the state government and the municipal authorities for their failure to manage street vending, particularly in high-traffic zones like Khyndailad.
Acting on the court’s instructions, the state government set a deadline of July 22 for all unauthorised vendors to vacate the area.
In the run-up to the eviction, SMB officials conducted field verifications to identify vendors with proper documentation.
An SMB official present during the drive confirmed that only vendors with valid COVs were permitted to remain.
Those unable to produce the required permits had their stalls removed and their goods seized.
As part of its continuing oversight, the High Court has appointed a special officer to monitor the implementation of vending regulations.
The officer is responsible for supervising the identification and development of designated vending zones, ensuring transparency in the issuance of vending certificates, and submitting regular progress reports to the court.
In accordance with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, the state government has designated three vending zones in Shillong.
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These include spaces at the MUDA Complex, the parking lot opposite the SBI Main Branch at Khyndailad, and the old Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) building.
Each of these zones is being developed to accommodate vendors in a more organised and accessible manner, with emphasis on easing pedestrian movement and traffic congestion.
Municipal officials stated that preparations are underway to operationalise these vending areas, with plans to relocate eligible vendors in a phased manner over the coming weeks.
