Shillong, Aug 12 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing rehabilitation of street vendors at the newly established Polo Vendors’ Market here and said cooperation among all stakeholders was essential to create safer and more inclusive public spaces in Shillong.
Interacting with vendors after inspecting the market, Sangma said the relocation initiative was aimed at ensuring that “the general public can walk freely”, while simultaneously protecting the livelihoods of vendors through financial and infrastructural support. He appealed to vendors and the public to cooperate with the government during the transition, adding, “This is the best way for us all to move together and move forward as a society.”
Acknowledging that relocation could create challenges for vendors, Sangma said solutions could be found only by cooperating and working with each other. He also indicated that similar support could be extended to people in other areas as the government continues its urban rehabilitation efforts.
Under the Chief Minister’s Urban Livelihood Grant (CM ULG), vendors possessing a valid Certificate of Vending (CoV) are eligible for assistance of Rs 20,000. This includes an immediate payment of Rs 10,000 followed by monthly support of Rs 2,000 for five months. A total of 65 CoVs have been issued for the vending zone opposite SBI, while 106 have been issued for the vending zone near Matri Mandir.
The Polo Vendors’ Market has been established on a 2,270‑square‑metre site, with the vending area covering 620 square metres. It has 132 stalls, of which 48 are earmarked for vendors relocated from Polo and 84 for those from Jail Road. So far, 72 vendors have taken possession of their allotted stalls.
Sangma also visited different sections of the market and interacted directly with vendors to understand their business conditions following the relocation.
The rehabilitation is being carried out under the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023, with the government seeking to ease pedestrian movement, reduce traffic congestion and create safer public spaces in busy commercial areas.
The market provides basic civic facilities, including toilets, LED lighting in stalls and halogen lamps, with designated spaces for vendors selling vegetables, fruits, garments, fast food, fish, chicken and other goods.
–IANS
tdr/dan
