Shillong Police Bazar Hawkers to Be Relocated: In a pivotal ruling impacting urban planning and informal trade in Meghalaya, the High Court has approved the relocation of hawkers from the busy commercial zone of Police Bazar in Shillong. The decision, administered under court supervision, aims to decongest public spaces while safeguarding the livelihoods of certified street vendors.
The process is being executed with legal oversight and administrative coordination, marking a significant attempt to balance city modernization with socio-economic rights.
Background: Orderly Transition Amid Urban Congestion
For decades, Police Bazar has served as Shillong’s bustling commercial nucleus. With its dense footfall, tourism flow, and centrality, the area became saturated with unregulated hawking, leading to traffic bottlenecks, blocked pavements, and pedestrian safety concerns.
The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and the East Khasi Hills District Administration initiated a phased plan to decongest the area. This action followed multiple complaints by residents, shop owners, and transport operators.
In response to a public interest petition, the Meghalaya High Court intervened to ensure that any such relocation plan was lawful, inclusive, and constitutionally sound.
High Court’s Intervention
On July 3, the High Court appointed Senior Advocate Subhasis Chakraborty as a special officer to supervise the entire relocation process. His appointment was instrumental in initiating negotiations between hawker associations, urban development officials, and the administration.
In a stakeholder meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, attended by officials from the Shillong Municipal Board, members of the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC), and representatives of the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association, a consensus was reached regarding the relocation schedule, area zoning, and vendor certification.
Relocation Guidelines and Timings
The relocation process includes strict time-bound access to Police Bazar for certified hawkers:
- Permitted vending hours:
- Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
- Evening: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
These limited hours will apply only to certified hawkers, allowing them temporary access during the transition. No vending will be allowed outside these periods, and only vendors listed in the final certification roster will be permitted.
Unlicensed vendors will be barred from operating in Police Bazar and directed toward newly allocated vending zones.
Vendor Certification and Regulation
To enforce fairness and legal structure:
- All hawkers must be surveyed and certified by the municipal board and included in an officially published list.
- The Town Vending Committee will finalize certifications and issue formal identification.
- The district administration has committed to setting up a grievance redressal process for vendors who believe they were excluded unjustly.
This initiative draws from provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which mandates vendor rights while ensuring public space usage aligns with urban planning.
Designated Relocation Zones
The SMB and district administration have identified multiple sites for relocating hawkers:
- MUDA Commercial Complex – proposed as a primary structured vending zone.
- Secondary vending zones across Shillong – to be designated for hawkers based on certification and proximity.
These zones will be equipped with proper facilities, including water access, waste bins, street lighting, and security. The aim is to create a hygienic and sustainable environment for informal traders while restoring order in Police Bazar.
Government and Administrative Response
Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar confirmed that relocation efforts are part of a broader city development and decongestion strategy. He emphasized that the intention was not to evict hawkers but to organize them within a legal framework that benefits both city residents and vendors.
The government is also investing in public infrastructure, such as:
- New multi-level parking facilities at Secretariat and Motphran
- Improvements in pedestrian access in central commercial zones
- Implementation of the ₹200+ crore Police Bazar Urban Upgrade Plan, which includes open public spaces, LED street lights, and safer walking corridors
Hawkers’ Concerns and Legal Action
While authorities assure a smooth transition, not all stakeholders are satisfied. Members of the Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association have alleged that recent evictions were carried out without prior notice or legal backing. In several cases, hawkers claimed their merchandise was confiscated or damaged, and FIRs were filed against the municipal board.
Representatives argue that the certification process lacks transparency and that the plan still needs provisions for compensating those removed without relocation options.
Angela Rangad, a prominent voice among the hawkers, stated:
“We are not against regulation. But relocation should be consultative, not coercive. Hawkers are part of the city, not outsiders to be displaced.”
Looking Ahead: Balancing Urban Growth and Rights
This court-monitored relocation marks a rare example of a state attempting to manage informal trade through both legal structure and infrastructure development. If successfully implemented, it may serve as a model for other Indian cities dealing with similar challenges.
The key pillars for sustainable success include:
- Vendor inclusion: Transparent certification, inclusive planning, and fair zone allocation
- Civic design: Infrastructure investment that accommodates both formal and informal economies
- Legal safeguards: Protection of livelihood rights under the Street Vendors Act
- Community engagement: Open dialogue between the administration and trade groups
The Shillong Municipal Board, in cooperation with the East Khasi Hills administration and the High Court’s designated officer, is now tasked with ensuring that implementation reflects the court’s vision: a regulated, inclusive, and humane transition for thousands of families dependent on hawking for survival.
Shillong Police Bazar Hawkers to Be Relocated: External References
- Government of Meghalaya – Urban Affairs Department
- Shillong Municipal Board
- Meghalaya High Court
-
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs – Street Vendors Act, 2014
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