Shillong: Former Tourism Minister and UDP MLA Paul Lyngdoh has backed the recent clearing of hawkers from key Shillong areas. He says the move marks a necessary step for city order. Major congestion points like Laitumkhrah and Jail Road are now clear.
Lyngdoh argues that authorities must balance street access with the rights of vendors. He previously pursued these relocation plans during his ministerial term. His goal was to provide hawkers with shelter, toilets, and basic hygiene. The current shift aims to protect public movement on roads and pavements.
He described the relocation as a humane approach. "In a democracy, there had to be a balance between the right to livelihood and the right of other users to access roads and pavements," Lyngdoh said. Authorities moved vendors to designated sites rather than forcing them out with no alternatives.
Future success depends on these new sites. They must provide sustainable conditions for long-term work. This drive highlights the ongoing struggle to manage urban traffic while keeping small businesses alive.
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