The Meghalaya High Court has expressed satisfaction over the ongoing process to identify vending zones in Shillong and directed the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) to file a fresh status affidavit by January 28, 2026.

The state government is working to regulate street vending activities in key areas of the capital, including Laitumkhrah, a prominent commercial and residential locality.

During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL), a division bench headed by Chief Justice Soumen Sen took on record an affidavit submitted by the SMB, detailing progress in identifying vending zones in Laitumkhrah. The court noted that satisfactory progress has been achieved so far.

According to the affidavit, out of 43 claims submitted by street vendors, 14 had already been included in the list previously published by the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC). Of the remaining 29 vendors called for hearings, 15 were found to be genuine, and their names have been recommended to the PTVC for further action.

The court was informed that the PTVC, in its meeting on December 4, resolved to finalise the list of street vendors in Laitumkhrah once the government formally notifies the designated vending zones. A sub-committee of the PTVC has also been constituted to verify claims and objections and to formulate a standard operating procedure for hearings, in consultation with the Hawkers’ Association.

The High Court noted that the identification of hawking locations is expected to be completed by the first week of January 2026 and listed the matter for further hearing on January 28.