Hawkers and vendors trying to make a living on pavements could be removed from certain locations if they are found to be obstructing pedestrians and cars or if they sell goods in unhygienic conditions or in ways that pose a fire hazard.
This was stated in an order issued by the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo today wherein she 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.
The priority areas in question are around Motphran (GS Road to District Council, Umsohsun to Motphran, Motphran to Anjalee, Motphran point, Motphran to Mission Compound, YMCA to Motphran point), Police Bazar (Thana Road, Jail Road, Kyndailad to Dreamland, Kyndailad point), Polo (Polo bridge to Shillong Recreational Ground Trust, Polo bridge to Lawmali), the front area of Shillong Civil Hospital, IGP point, Barik point and Laitumkhrah (Fire Brigade to Beat House, Beat House to Police Point). The DC also listed other areas – Laban Last Stop, Rynjah, Nongmensong point to Wahkdait and Madanrting Taxi Stand.
This follows a Meghalaya High Court order earlier this month that said the court takes a “dim view of hawkers taking over footpaths and pedestrian walkways virtually all over Shillong and Tura”.
Yesterday, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang called a meeting and directed DCs to take action in compliance with the High Court order.
Laloo said that the number of roadside vendors has “rapidly increased” and this poses an inconvenience to all, including senior citizens and school children. The DC has even received a report of a pedestrian being injured by a bus after having to walk on a road because hawkers were blocking the pavement.
Food being cooked at roadside stalls also pose a risk, from a hygiene perspective as well as a fire hazard one, the order added.
Disrupting the flow of traffic and encroachment on roads are violations of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and Meghalaya Police Act and Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act 2022, the DC said.
The committees will now inspect listed above to regulate the seating of hawkers and relocate any who are causing obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular movement, or selling goods in contravention of established norms of hygiene and safety. The process will be completed within 10 days.
“The committees will act with appropriate firmness and ensure that while the right to livelihood is respected, it should not in any way infringe on the rights of the citizenry at large,” Laloo said.
