TURA, Aug 26: A major issue of Tura’s congestion alongside roads and footpaths due to unregulated markets is to end soon with a decision taken on Friday in a high level meeting to shift all hawkers to four designated areas of the town where they can sell their wares without any hindrance to movement of people and vehicular traffic.

The high level meeting called by the district administration at DRDA conference hall on Friday morning had the presence of Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe, CEO of Tura Municipal Board Smt. Rikse R Marak, members of various Area Development Committees, Traders Association of different trades, leaders of the Hawkers Association and West Garo Hills police.

The two core issues of the meeting- Hawkers allocation to designated vending zones and the revised price fares of all essential items were discussed thoroughly during the meeting with participants from different groups speaking about the problems faced due to the price rise and the congestion across roads and footpaths due to lack of space for hawkers to have a proper place to sell their wares.

It was revealed to the assembled members of various groups and organisations that the prime reason found behind the rise in prices of all items was due to a cartel and a group of vested interest individuals who were pushing the prices to gain for themselves at the expense of the common people.

It was decided in the meeting that the hawkers would be reallocated to four designated zones in tura- The Tura Urban Hub where 80 stalls are currently vacant, Araimile meat market where 35 vacant spots are presently available, Nazing Bazar where 25-30 vacant spots have been identified and the Tura Housing Complex in Dakopgre where another 25-30 spots are open for use.

Vendors have been urged to visit the DC office and register themselves at the DRDA office on or before the last date of 15th September.

Addressing the participants, Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe called for the start of a “walking culture” whereby roads and footpaths are open and free of vendors for the use of the general public.

During the interaction several people representing different groups and areas mentioned about the problems faced by them such as poorly maintained footpaths which are more dangerous to walk on due to holes and uneven ground, the sale of meat products cut and brought from outside the town without any license or checks by food inspectors and the high number of wine stores all over town which also needs to be relocated outside the town.

The DC assured the participants that the PWD has been directed to look into the problem of poorly maintained footpaths, while TMB along with police have been given the task to look into the unregulated sale of meat and other products coming into town from outside.

On the reallocation of wine stores sought by some members, the DC urged them to first file a complaint with the Excise department.