Shillong: The urban affairs department, Govt of Meghalaya, has successfully relocated 29 street vendors from the vicinity of Civil Hospital in Shillong to a newly constructed vending zone on the PWD premises in Barik area in the city.“Vendors have expressed satisfaction with the new site, noting that it provides adequate space and protection from rain and wind,” the commissioner & secretary of urban affairs department said on Thursday.
“Clearing the footpath in front of the hospital has significantly improved pedestrian movement, vehicle flow, and, most importantly, the movement of emergency vehicles,” the official statement said.The initiative has been well received by all stakeholders, including vendors and citizens, the commissioner and secretary added.The official said that guided by CM Conrad K Sangma’s “emphasis on dignity and livelihood security for street vendors”, the urban affairs department has completed this second relocation drive, the first being the successful effort at the main commercial centre of Khyndailad, Police Bazar.\“These continued initiatives aim to improve mobility, enhance pedestrian safety, create dignified livelihood spaces across key urban areas, and will be progressively scaled across the city,” the statement highlighted.
