Shillong, Aug 18: Pynthorumkhrah MLA and senior BJP leader AL Hek has welcomed the ongoing hawkers’ relocation drive in Shillong, but urged the government to first set up alternative vending zones in each locality.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Hek praised the work done at Polo in his constituency, saying the Urban Affairs Department had improved the area significantly.
“If we talk about Polo, they have done a very good job. I congratulate the Urban Affairs Minister and the team. Earlier, the area near JN Stadium looked very ugly. Now after shifting them, at least they have a proper place to carry on their business,” he told reporters.
Hek argued that relocating all vendors to a single site was not practical and called for a decentralised plan.
“You cannot put all the hawkers of the city in one place. It has to be divided into different market areas and different locations,” he said.
He also stressed the need to balance urban beautification with livelihood concerns.
“It is high time we had vendor-free roads. But at the same time, this is about people’s daily bread. If you remove them suddenly without an alternative, how will families survive? First identify suitable places, then shift them,” Hek said.
For Laitumkhrah, Hek pointed to an old proposal and suggested reviving the Laitumkhrah Municipal Market for vendors.
“During Dr Mukul Sangma’s time, funds were already sanctioned to build a place for Laitumkhrah hawkers. If that facility is ready, there is no harm in shifting them there. I suggest the government develop a proper hawker market at Laitumkhrah Municipal Market,” he said.
On Jail Road, where some vendors are resisting relocation, he recommended finding a site within the same area.
“In Jail Road, they should identify a location within Jail Road itself. That will be convenient for both residents and the vendors selling there,” he said.
Referring to his own work at Golflink, Hek said the model could be replicated elsewhere.
“I was the only one who built a hawker market for vendors who used to sit along the Golf Club area and shifted them to a designated zone. If the government identifies good locations like that, it will benefit both buyers and sellers,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hek condoled the death of five pilgrims from Meghalaya, including two children, who were among eight killed in a hotel fire at Siliguri, West Bengal, on Sunday evening.
“It is very sad news and a tragic incident. My heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families. We pray for the souls of all those who died, including the five from Meghalaya, to rest in eternal peace,” Hek said.
He said the party would seek details from West Bengal government on the incident.
