Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has issued a directive to the district administration to maintain a strict vigil on illegal encroachment of street space by vendors and penalize errant vehicle drivers in the city.

This decision was made by the division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh while hearing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by Philip Khrawbok Shati and Andrew Aibok Jyrwa.

The court emphasized the need for the administration to ensure that available road space is not reduced due to encroachment by street vendors, illegal parking, and other factors. To address this issue, the Urban Affairs Commissioner and Secretary submitted a report outlining policies, plans, and proposals to streamline vendor operations and regulate traffic ¹.

The report highlights four key initiatives: Designated Vending Areas, where 25 locations across Shillong will accommodate 1,400 vendors from February 7, 2025; a State Level Committee to regulate traffic and street movement in seven city zones; the Shillong Parking Policy, 2025, which aims to launch 35 modern buses to reduce private transport; and the School Bus Project (STEMS), which has grown from one bus with 10% occupancy in April 2023 to 29 buses operating at 100% occupancy.

The court praised the decision to formulate the Shillong Parking Policy, 2025, calling it a "healthy move." The court also expressed confidence that the successful implementation of these policies and projects would reduce traffic congestion and achieve the purposes of the PIL.

The Urban Affairs Department has been directed to file an action taken report by May 6, ahead of the next hearing of the PIL on May 8.