The East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner has notified seven committees that will assess the conditions of areas that have a large number of hawkers and vendors present.
An August 23 notification from the DC, Isawanda Laloo, said that, in keeping with a recent Meghalaya High Court order, it was necessary to study the hawking situation in certain areas of the city, to ensure that hawkers do not obstruct pedestrians or cars, operate hygienically and do not pose a safety hazard.
Laloo said that committees headed by magistrates and comprising police, Shillong Municipal Board officials, Public Works Department (Roads) and “involving other stakeholders as deemed fit” will inspect these areas and ensure the execution of the order.
Seven separate committees have been notified today, one each for Motphran; Polo; Police Bazar, Civil Hospital, Barik Point and IGP Point together; Laitumkhrah; Laban Last Stop; Rynjah; Nongmensong-Umkdait; and Madanrting Taxi Stand.
They are each led by an Additional District Magistrate, with an Executive Magistrate, representatives from police, SMB and PWD (Roads), other civil servants but no hawkers.
The committees will identify “the areas of congestion caused by the presence of hawkers and street vendors,” regulate and adjust existing arrangements wherever possible, such as “decreasing stall area, ensuring adequate space between vendors, etc. in such a way as to ensure adequate space for pedestrian movement and no compromise made to safety and clear passage for movement of vehicles,” identify alternate sites for relocation of hawkers if adjustments are not possible and coordinate and liaise with other stakeholders, such as the Syiem of Hima Mylliem and local headmen.
“The representatives of the various hawkers’ bodies may also be briefed and oriented,” the DC said.
Details of the hawkers will be collected during the exercise and a report is to be submitted by August 30.
