SHILLONG, Oct 22: The East Khasi Hills district administration is examining replies submitted by roadside vendors who were served eviction notices for alleged encroachment along the Shillong-Dawki highway.
Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said the responses will be reviewed jointly with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) before the next course of action is decided.
The eviction notices were issued to vendors operating along the highway corridor, particularly along the 4th Mile and 7th Mile stretches in Upper Shillong. The action follows road safety concerns raised by local village authorities (shnongs) and observations made by the Meghalaya High Court regarding unauthorised occupation along national highways.
The planned eviction comes amid persistent challenges in keeping the highway stretch clear of unauthorised commercial stalls, despite earlier clearance drives.
Alongside the encroachment review, the administration directed the Excise Department to conduct targeted raids following reports of illicit liquor sales in the 4th Mile and 7th Mile areas. Baranwal said three to four rounds of raids have already been carried out, resulting in the seizure of multiple cartons and bottles of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
A formal clearance drive is expected once the joint assessment of the vendors’ replies concludes, though the administration is yet to announce a specific date for the removal of the stalls.