Meghalaya: Street vendors demonstrate against the eviction campaign in Shillong, calling for a just relocation procedure.

Street vendors and hawkers in Shillong’s Khyndailad area staged a protest on Monday morning against an eviction drive by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), refusing to vacate until relocation issues are addressed by the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC). The eviction followed a June 21 government notification that designated the upper floor of the MUDA parking lot as a vending zone and declared the rest of Khyndailad a no-vending zone. Supported by the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA), the vendors criticized flaws in the relocation process, including the failure of a digital survey and the issuance of vending licenses to shop owners instead of genuine hawkers. The MGSPHSVA demanded transparency and a participatory approach to redesign the hawkers’ space, while activist Angela Rangad condemned the forceful evictions, insisting that relocation must be based on a clear, inclusive plan.

Indian Railways will now generate reservation charts 8 hours prior to departure.

The Ministry of Railways has announced that reservation charts for confirmed berths or seats will now be prepared eight hours before a train’s scheduled departure, instead of the previous four hours. This move aims to provide passengers, especially those from remote areas, with more time to make alternative arrangements if their waitlist is not confirmed. Additionally, the Railways will revamp its Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by December, increasing booking capacity to 1.5 lakh tickets per minute and introducing a more user-friendly, multilingual interface. From July 1, 2025, only authenticated users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website and app, further enhancing transparency and convenience for travelers.