Shillong (Meghalaya), July 16: In a significant development concerning street vending activities in Shillong’s Police Bazar, the Meghalaya High Court has modified its earlier order regulating vending hours for hawkers and street vendors. The court, comprising Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh, heard a petition filed by the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association.
The petitioners argued that the restricted vending hours of 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. were not serving the intended purpose of ensuring business for licensed vendors pending their relocation to designated vending areas. The vendors’ counsel submitted that these restrictions reduced business and caused hardship due to time spent setting up and dismantling shops.
The Advocate General countered that “vested interests” were involved behind the application but informed the court that the government had taken measures to relocate the vendors by July 22, 2025, to three areas: MUDA Complex Frontage, MUDA parking lot first floor, and the Shillong Municipal Board parking lot opposite State Bank of India.
Considering these submissions, the court modified its July 3 order, granting vendors additional time for setting up and packing up shops. Under the modified order, vendors can start setting up shop from 12 noon and pack up from 2 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and start setting up shop from 7 p.m. and pack up by 9:15 p.m. This will be done under strict supervision of public authorities and the Special Officer, with the traffic department deploying additional personnel to regulate traffic. The matter is returnable on July 28.
