Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma reviews Polo Vendors' Market, urges stakeholder cooperation
Synopsis
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma's inspection of the new Polo Vendors' Market in Shillong reveals a state quietly attempting one of the Northeast's more structured urban vendor rehabilitation efforts — with ₹20,000 grants per eligible vendor, 132 purpose-built stalls, and a 2023 regulatory scheme backing it. With 72 stalls occupied and expansion to other localities hinted at, the real test is whether vendors see sustained footfall after relocation.
Key Takeaways
Sangma inspected the Polo Vendors' Market in Shillong on 12 August , reviewing vendor rehabilitation progress.
The market spans 2,270 square metres with 132 stalls — 48 for Polo vendors and 84 for Jail Road vendors; 72 stalls have been occupied so far.
Eligible vendors with a valid Certificate of Vending receive up to ₹20,000 under the CM Urban Livelihood Grant .
A total of 171 CoVs have been issued across two vending zones — 65 near SBI and 106 near Matri Mandir.
The rehabilitation operates under the Meghalaya Street Vendors Scheme, 2023 , targeting safer pedestrian spaces and reduced congestion.
Sangma indicated the support model could be extended to vendors in other areas of Shillong as the programme scales.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday, 12 August inspected the newly established Polo Vendors' Market in Shillong and called for cooperation among all stakeholders to create safer and more inclusive public spaces in the city. The visit was part of the government's ongoing urban rehabilitation drive for street vendors displaced from busy commercial corridors.
What Sangma Said
Interacting directly with vendors after touring the market, Sangma said the relocation initiative was designed to ensure that 'the general public can walk freely' while simultaneously protecting vendor livelihoods through financial and infrastructural support. He appealed to both vendors and residents to support the transition, stating, 'This is the best way for us all to move together and move forward as a society.'
Acknowledging that relocation posed practical challenges, Sangma said solutions were possible only through mutual cooperation. He also indicated that similar support could be extended to vendors in other parts of Shillong as the urban rehabilitation programme expands.
Financial Support Under CM ULG
Vendors holding a valid Certificate of Vending (CoV) are eligible for assistance under the Chief Minister's Urban Livelihood Grant (CM ULG). The grant amounts to ₹20,000 per vendor — an immediate payment of ₹10,000 followed by monthly support of ₹2,000 for five months. A total of 65 CoVs have been issued for the vending zone opposite SBI, and 106 CoVs for the zone near Matri Mandir.
Market Infrastructure and Allotments
The Polo Vendors' Market has been developed on a 2,270-square-metre site, with a dedicated vending area of 620 square metres. It houses 132 stalls in total — 48 reserved for vendors relocated from Polo and 84 for those from Jail Road. As of the inspection date, 72 vendors had taken possession of their allotted stalls.
The market is equipped with basic civic amenities including toilets, LED lighting within stalls, and halogen lamps. Designated sections cater to vendors selling vegetables, fruits, garments, fast food, fish, chicken, and other goods.
Regulatory Framework
The rehabilitation is being carried out under the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023. The scheme aims to ease pedestrian movement, reduce traffic congestion, and improve safety in Shillong's busy commercial zones. This is part of a broader urban governance push that the state government says it intends to replicate across other high-footfall areas.
What Comes Next
With 72 of 132 stalls occupied so far, the government's immediate priority is completing vendor onboarding at Polo Vendors' Market. Sangma's indication that similar support could reach other localities suggests the programme may scale beyond its current footprint, though no formal timeline or budget for expansion has been announced.
Point of View
A regulatory framework, and a direct cash grant already in motion. Yet the harder metric — sustained vendor income post-relocation — remains unmeasured. With only 72 of 132 stalls occupied, the transition is incomplete, and Sangma's hint at expanding the model to other localities raises the question of whether the government has assessed footfall and earnings data from the current site before scaling. Urban vendor schemes across India have repeatedly foundered on poor site selection and inadequate customer access; Shillong's hilly commercial geography makes that risk acuter than most.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Polo Vendors' Market in Shillong?
The Polo Vendors' Market is a newly established vending facility in Shillong, Meghalaya, built on a 2,270-square-metre site with 132 stalls to rehabilitate street vendors displaced from Polo and Jail Road. It provides basic amenities including toilets, LED lighting, and designated sections for different goods.
What financial support are relocated vendors receiving?
Vendors with a valid Certificate of Vending are eligible for ₹20,000 under the Chief Minister's Urban Livelihood Grant — an immediate payment of ₹10,000 followed by ₹2,000 per month for five months.
How many vendors have shifted to the new market so far?
As of 12 August, 72 vendors had taken possession of their allotted stalls out of a total of 132. The remaining stalls are yet to be occupied.
What is the Meghalaya Street Vendors Scheme, 2023?
It is the regulatory framework under which the Shillong vendor rehabilitation is being carried out. The scheme aims to protect vendor livelihoods while easing pedestrian movement and reducing traffic congestion in busy commercial areas of the state.
Will the government extend this rehabilitation model to other areas?
Chief Minister Sangma indicated during his inspection that similar support could be extended to vendors in other localities as the urban rehabilitation programme continues, though no formal timeline or budget for expansion has been announced.
