SHILLONG:
A hawkers’ market will come up at the Them Iew Mawlong after relocating the residents of Harijan Colony, the government said recently.
“Yes, the intention of the government is also to create a hawkers’ market at Them Iew Mawlong. We want to accommodate all street vendors (who are presently occupying the public footpaths in the Shillong city),” said deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, adding that it’s part of the proposed redevelopment plan of that land and the market will also be a tourist attraction.
He also added that once the market is set up, no hawker/vendor will be allowed to carry out businesses by encroaching public spaces adding and “we will ensure public footpaths are hawkers’ free”.
Elaborating more about the proposed redevelopment project, Tynsong said the government is also planning to construct shopping mall and parking lot, among others, as part of the beautification of the 3-acres land. “A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared on the matter,” he said.
The deputy chief minister, however, said that the government will discuss the issue of alternative land for the relocation after meeting the Harijan Panchayat Committee members. “We are in a stage of meeting across the table. So let us meet them first. We will discuss and listen to their submission,” he said.
Prestone, however, refrained from commenting on what will happen to the Gurudwara, temple, church and the school that stand on the piece of land. “We are yet to discuss that matter,” he said.
Earlier on April 7, the High Court had deferred the hearing on a petition filed by the HPC to June 1. This was after both the parties representing the HPC and the state government, had informed that a fresh round of negotiations may ensue.
“Since it is submitted by the parties that a fresh round of negotiations may ensue, let the matter appear eight weeks hence. List on June 1, 2022,” the court had said in its order.
On April 4, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had informed that the state government has decided to invite the HPC next week, for discussion on the relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong. His statement came after HPC had said that it was waiting for the state government to invite them for discussion on an alternative site for the relocation.
As per the inventory report submitted by the Shillong Municipal Board, a total of 184 employees and their families have been identified as legal settlers. These include families of 128 employees of the SMB and 56 others, who are working in the different government departments.
Meanwhile, Shillong Municipal Board had already shifted to its new temporary office building to pave the way for renovation of its official staff quarters in order to accommodate its employees, who are presently residing at the Harijan Colony.