The Meghalaya government is set to relocate over 400 street vendors to designated areas in Shillong, while also providing a relocation allowance of ₹20,000, officials announced on Wednesday. A senior official from the Urban Affairs department revealed that three prime locations for the relocation have been identified: inside the MUDA parking lot and outside the complex, as well as the municipal parking lot opposite the SBI Main Branch.
According to a digital in-situ survey conducted between December 2023 and January 2024, 1,400 vendors were identified across 23 locations, of which 760 were deemed eligible for relocation. In the Khyndailad area alone, 457 vendors were surveyed, and during hearings for claims and objections held from February to May 2025, 407 were declared eligible.
Despite the official plans to relocate these vendors under the Street Vendors Act of 2014, several hawkers staged protests last week. On July 1, vendors gathered at the entrance of the main secretariat, flouting district administration orders prohibiting demonstrations near that area.
The Urban Affairs department emphasized that the enforcement and relocation initiative is being conducted under the guidance of the Meghalaya High Court, which is overseeing the process related to two public interest litigations concerning street vending and traffic congestion.
Officials indicated that this relocation effort would eventually extend to other areas of Shillong as part of a long-term strategy aimed at promoting lawful and orderly street vending. This strategy seeks to balance urban development with the economic welfare of street vendors.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/meghalaya/meghalaya-govt-designates-3-locations-to-relocate-shillong-street-vendors/28190/
Category: Meghalaya,Meghalaya government,Urban Affairs Department
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Publish Date: 2025-07-02 12:45:00
