Shillong, March 26: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday reassured that the State government remains steadfast in balancing public interests and fulfilling its mandate, despite facing criticism over concerns on the delay in relocating hawkers from the Khyndailad area.

Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh said, “As a government, whether we do it or we don’t do it, we always get the short end of the stick. But we will do what has been mandated to us to do. We will perform our duties accordingly, and we will ensure that all road users, including transport, waters, pedestrians, they also have equal right to the use of those roads.”

The minister highlighted ongoing construction efforts at Khyndailad, opposite the State Bank of India, to facilitate the relocation. “Some new construction is already happening where these vendors will be relocated. This is at Khyndailad area itself, opposite the State Bank. Also, some construction is on, so these will be used for the rehabilitation of hawkers,” he explained.

Lyngdoh assured that the relocation process would be completed within the year but refrained from providing a specific timeline. “It will happen within this year, you will see. Names have already been finalized, and we have indicated a space for about 200 such hawkers,” he elaborated.

Addressing concerns about hawkers’ representation in the town vending committee, Lyngdoh clarified their active involvement. “In fact, the hawkers themselves had representation in the town vending committees. So, things are going on smoothly, and we should be able to relocate them once the new structures are ready,” he said.

Responding to criticism about leniency towards illegal encroachments, Lyngdoh emphasized the judiciary’s role in expediting the process. “Even the honourable High Court of Meghalaya has stepped in by directing the state government to expedite the process of relocating hawkers who are creating a lot of inconvenience to other road users. We are aware of the situation. We are ceased of the matter, which is why the relocation will happen immediately, once the structures are ready,” he assured.

Lyngdoh concluded with a firm commitment: “We will ensure that all road users, including transport, waters, pedestrians, have equal rights to the use of those roads.”