Shillong, Oct 25: It has become a common sight in the city to see footpaths being encroached upon by street vendors, leading to major traffic problems, and the worst part is that their numbers are increasing day by day.

Footpaths are constructed to facilitate pedestrians and daily commuters in their day-to-day lives. However, the footpaths of Laitumkhrah (from Police Point to Beat House) remain encroached upon from morning till late evening by street hawkers selling clothes, fruits, vegetables, and various other items. This has become a major nuisance for commuters and a significant cause of traffic congestion in the city.

Andrew A. Jyrwa, the Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah, stated that the Dorbar Shnong will restrict the influx of street vendors within the Shnong Jurisdiction once the government enacts the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme 2023.

Jyrwa emphasised that the “invasion” of these street vendors is “uncontrollable” along the footpath from Laitumkhrah to the Fire Brigade stretch.

He explained that since early morning, street vendors have been selling their goods on the footpaths, causing significant problems for daily commuters. Pedestrians are unable to access the footpaths and are forced to walk on the road, further contributing to congestion. Laitumkhrah is one of the busiest parts of Shillong, with schools, colleges, government, and private offices established in the vicinity.

Jyrwa assured that the Dorbar Shnong will closely follow the government’s plans regarding street vendors and hawkers. A designated area will be provided for them, and they will not be allowed to set up their shops elsewhere.

In previous years, the Laitumkhrah Dorbar conducted enumerations and collected the names of all street vendors and hawkers within its jurisdiction. Among the hundreds identified, ninety percent are outsiders, with only a small fraction being residents of Laitumkhrah, as informed by the headman.

He further stated that if the government directs the Dorbar Shnong to re-identify all street vendors, the Laitumkhrah Dorbar is willing to collaborate with the government on this matter.

Despite being a ‘non-vending area’, the Laitumkhrah Dorbar took the initiative to be the first among all Dorbar Shnongs to identify all hawkers and street vendors. Jyrwa revealed that the Laitumkhrah Dorbar has also identified an area (at Veronica Lane) for street vendors and hawkers to set up their stalls away from the footpaths.

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