Meghalaya HC modifies vending hours of Shillong hawkers

The Meghalaya High Court, on July 16 announced modifications in the vending hours imposed on street vendors in Shillong's Khyndailad area.

The high court, on July 3, hearing a plea filed by Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association, had restricted vending hours from 12:30 pm to 2 pm and 7:30 pm to 9 pm.

However, in its latest order on Wednesday, the Bench of Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh allowed a slight modification, granting vendors an additional 30 minutes for setting up and 15 minutes for packing up during each vending session.

Advocate P Yobin, representing the association, argued that the narrow vending windows left vendors with inadequate time for actual business, considering the time needed for setting up and dismantling their shops.

Countering the plea, the Advocate General submitted that the application was influenced by "vested interests" and that the government had already made arrangements to relocate the vendors to designated vending zones by July 22, 2025.

After considering both sides, the court allowed vending setup from 12 noon, with business allowed till 2 pm and pack-up till 2:15 pm. Evening vending was similarly adjusted to allow setup from 7 pm, vending till 9 pm, and pack-up till 9:15 pm.

The court also directed that these extended hours be strictly supervised by the concerned public authorities and the Special Officer, with additional police deployment by the traffic department to manage congestion.

The matter will be heard next on July 28.