No vehicles from 7 am to 9 pm * Vehicle passes for residents of Khyndailad
Shillong, July 29: After successfully conducting the long-pending relocation of street hawkers from Khyndailad (Police Bazar), the state government has taken up another significant task – to make the city’s commercial hub an exclusive pedestrian zone.
No vehicle movement will be allowed from 7 am to 9 pm on the stretch from the entrance of Khyndailad up to Umsohsun except those with passes to fetch and drop schoolchildren.
“These passes will be mainly to facilitate of dropping of school kids during school days. However on holidays, there will be absolutely no movement of vehicles in the pedestrianised area except on emergency basis and unforeseen incidents like fire and medical emergencies,” tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters after holding a meeting held with deputy chief minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday.
The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) will soon issue passes to residents of the area, allowing them to access their homes during the pedestrianisation hours.
“In this regard, we have task the SMB with the responsibility of collecting details of residents of that particular stretch so that we will be in a position to issue them passes for their cars. That will be only for residents of that area,” he said.
However, he made it clear that no pass will be issued to residents from outside Khyndailad who have businesses in Khyndailad, the minister said.
He also expressed happiness that the Meghalaya High Court was satisfied over the professional way of handling the relocation of hawkers, making sure that there is sufficient space for all road users, especially pedestrians, in and around the city’s busiest commercial area.
Mentioning that elsewhere in the country hawkers are only given space for relocation, he said, “In Shillong, we have also provided them with amenities like proper lighting.”
To facilitate the vendors, the government has already sanctioned works for building 15 washrooms at the basement of MUDA complex besides providing drinking water facility, he said.
Lyngdoh also announced that cheques of Rs 10,000 each will be handed over to the vendors on August 5.
Asked, Lyngdoh said the government plans to refurbish the entire stretch, including welcoming signage, improvement of tiles, and a facelift for Khyndailad.
The area will be promoted as a hub for music events, reflecting Shillong’s brand as India’s Music Capital.
He further informed that the government will ensure the presence of tourist buddies to act as guides, prevent incidents, and maintain sanitation and hygiene.
“Now that we have been successful in Khyndailad, we will replicate the success stories elsewhere including areas like Laitumkhrah, Civil Hospital point and other heavily congested civilian areas,” Lyngdoh said.
