Shillong: Meghalaya‘s East Khasi Hills deputy commisioner Isawanda Laloo on Tuesday said that Shillong’s iconic Bara Bazaar or Iewduh market will reopen on Friday.
However, of the total 4,000 shops in the market, only 1,222 will be allowed to open on a rotation basis. On an average, 185 shops will open in a day.
The decision was made following a spot inspection made by the DC on Saturday. She was accompanied by the Syiem of Hima Mylliem (traditional head) and the CEM of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Earlier, the Syiem of Hima Mylliem had submitted a proposal for regulated reopening of Iewduh.
The Meghalala government had recently decided that 20 per cent of non-essential shops will be allowed to open but had authorised the DC to do the needful.
DC Isawanda Laloo said that based on the proposal and concerns received from various segments, and seeing that Iewduh is one of the biggest markets on which so many people depend, it was decided to reopen only 10-15 per cent of the shops.
“The Syiem has taken the responsibility of working out the numbers. Of the 4,000 shops, he selected only 1,222 which maybe required for reopening. So, we have left out the vegetable vendors, meat and fish stalls,” said Laloo.
According to KHADC CEM Titosstarwell Chyne, in the initial stage, they have suggested a rotation basis through which they will try to accommodate all the shops to be open.
“The district administration along with the other officials has decided that 185 shops will be open in a day,” said Chyne.
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With more than 500 hawkers at Iewduh, in the initial stage, only 184 of them will be allowed per day to carry out their business activities.
“Iewduh will reopen on Friday. We appeal all hawkers and shopkeepers to get themselves vaccinated so that they can protect themselves and others who are visiting the market,” Chyne said, adding that while they can’t make it mandatory they can only make an appeal to the people.
The DC also informed that a vaccination drive will be carried out at Iewduh at 10 am on Wednesday.
On May 17, the DC had ordered closure of the Iewduh and Laitumkhrah markets following reports that residents were not following the protocols despite regulation on opening of shops and restrictions on movement of people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DC had also barred vendors from conducting business along the whole stretch of Laitumkhrah main road, until further orders.
