With yet another deadline having been missed, the state government has now said that hawkers will be relocated from the Khyndailad area by August 15.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh had said in April that the hawkers would be out by June but even this was a year beyond the previous target.
Now, the minister, for whom this is something of a fixation, has said that the government stands by its relocation plan and it will be seen through by Independence Day.
“Whatever relocation plan that was discussed in the past will be suitably reaffirmed and we can see this through within the next couple of weeks,” he said today.
However, he added that he would again seek the final word from Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who is in charge of the Urban Affairs Department.
On the rehabilitation of the hawkers at Khyndailad zone, Lyngdoh informed that they have worked out the vending zones with the Shillong Municipality Board and the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has also come forward. It is expected that 200 registered hawkers will be accommodated in the MUDA shopping complex in Khyndailad.
“We have completed the entire process right from notifying, identifying and then also registering these vendors and we are at the very close of this exercise. What remains to be done is the rehabilitation physically in the Khyndailad area but away from the streets, roads and footpaths,” he added.
