Meghalaya Government Relocates Street Vendors in Shillong to Ease Congestion, Secure Livelihoods
In a strategic urban management move to balance public convenience with livelihood protection, the Meghalaya Government’s Urban Affairs Department has relocated 29 street vendors from the congested area near Civil Hospital in Shillong to a newly developed, organised vending zone at the PWD premises in Barik.
The relocation has led to the complete clearance of the hospital footpath, significantly improving pedestrian movement, reducing traffic congestion, and ensuring the smooth passage of ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
The newly established vending zone at Barik provides vendors with improved working conditions, including adequate vending space and shelter from adverse weather conditions such as rain and wind, offering a safer and more dignified environment to earn their livelihoods.
The move aligns with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s vision of upholding the dignity and livelihood security of street vendors while maintaining urban order.
This marks the second major relocation initiative undertaken by the department, following the successful rehabilitation of vendors at Police Bazar. Together, these efforts highlight a structured approach towards urban decongestion, enhanced pedestrian safety, and the creation of regulated vending ecosystems across Shillong.
Meghalaya is increasingly being recognised as a model state for integrating street vendor rehabilitation with urban planning, a strategy the government plans to extend to other key areas of the city in the coming phases.
Also read: Sikkim Disaster Management Authority Bags Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026
