Street Vendors in Laitumkhrah, Motphran & others asked to relocate for ensuring road safety of all

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 23, 2022

In order to ensure road safety of pedestrians especially children and disabled persons in Shillong City, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District on Tuesday ordered the street vendors and street hawkers in various locations to relocate themselves else they will be remove in public interest.

According to Deputy Commissioner the list of areas occupied by hawkers/ street vendors where pedestrian movement and vehicular traffic is affected are Motphran Area viz,  GS Road to District Council, Umsohsun to Motphran, Motphran to Mawlonghat (Anjalee), Motphran point, Motpharn to Mission Compound and YMCA to Motphran point.

In Police Bazaar Area, Thana road, Jail road, Police Bazaar Main Road (Khyndailad to Dreamland), Khyndailad Point while under Polo Area viz.,  Polo bridge to SRGT and Polo bridge to Lawmali.

Civil Hospital Area, NH 44, IGP Point Area, Barik Point Area and  Laitumkhrah Area viz Laitumkhrah Main Road (Fire Brigade to Beat House) and Laitumkhrah Main Road (Beat House to Police Point)

The other areas are Laban Last Stop area, Rynjah area, Nongmensong point to Wahkdait and Madanrting Taxi Stand.

The order was issued in view the order of High Court of Meghalaya dated 16/08/2022 in the matter relating to Street Vendors has also stated that “The Court takes a dim view of hawkers taking over footpaths and pedestrian walkways virtually all over Shillong and Tura, the two main cities in the state and even elsewhere.”

Further the Court in its order dated 16.12.2021 in PIL No.17 of 2021 passed by the High Court of Meghalaya also mentions that “no effective traffic management may be possible unless hawkers are regulated and are removed from the carriageways.”

The Deputy Commissioner said the Chief Secretary, Meghalaya in a meeting convened on Monday to monitor compliance to the High Court’s order has also directed the Deputy Commissioners to take immediate action on the matter.

Complaints have also been received from local authorities and residents that the number of roadside vendors in various locations in the city has rapidly increased. The unregulated seating of hawkers has hampered free movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

The restriction and obstruction to pedestrian transit poses an inconvenience to all, including to senior citizens and school children.

A report has also been received of injury caused to a citizen who was hit by a bus after being compelled to walk on the roadside since the pavements are occupied by hawkers.

The order also cited a petition has also been received from an association representing Persons with Disability citing that they are entitled to equal rights and free movement on the pedestrian walkways.

It also observed that food items and consumables sold without following stringent norms of food safety and use of open chulhas, frying pans, and fires on the roadside, and the seating of hawkers with their backs turned to traffic pose a grave risk both to the hawkers themselves and to the general public.

The Deputy Commissioner asserted that the right to free movement of vehicles is mandated under various provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which under Section 179 penalises anyone who obstructs the flow of traffic on public highways.

It is also in contravention of Meghalaya Police Act and Control of National Highway (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002 and also violation of fundamental right under Article 19 (1) (d).

The order informed that Committees headed by Magistrates and constituting Police, officials of Shillong Municipal Board, PWD (Roads), etc., and involving other stakeholders as deemed fit, will inspect the different areas and ensure execution of this order.

They will regulate the seating of the hawkers and relocate any who are causing obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular movement, or selling goods in contravention to established norms of hygiene and safety. The Committees will act with appropriate firmness and ensure that while right to livelihood is respected, it should not in any way infringe on the rights of the citizenry at large.

The Committees will ensure the exercise is completed within 10 (ten) days of this order. The Superintendent of Police will provide personnel as required to assist the magistrates. Any wilful non-compliance will be met with stern action as per relevant provisions of law.