Meghalaya: Commercial hub - Khyndai Lad wears bustling look with further relaxations

By Daiaphira Kharsati 

SHILLONG: 

As shops and markets gradually open up in Shillong on alternate days, hundreds of people thronged the commercial hub - Khyndai Lad also known as Police Bazaar on Thursday.

The otherwise deserted market wore a bustling look as vendors and shopkeepers are allowed to open shops till 3 pm three days a week.

Speaking to The Northeast Today (TNT), vendors expressed optimism that business will pick up with the issuance of this new relaxation. 

Earlier, shopkeepers and vendors at Khyndai Lad were allowed to open two days a week, but starting Thursday (July 1), they are permitted to open shops for three days a week.

"In this way, it will be good business for us. We have to think of our livelihood too. I took the vaccine and, before doing so, I read a lot about it and did not take it in haste. I only hope and pray that the third COVID wave will not affect us," a vendor said. 

Vendors were seen displaying their items on the ground while stand-alone shops opened on an odd-even basis, bringing back memories of pre-lockdown times.

The state government had earlier observed the need to strike a balance between protecting the people from the virus and slowly opening up economic activities; hence, more relaxations have been put in place.

As the state prepares for normalcy to return, and boost economic activities by opening few small sectors, the battle against the virus is still something that needs a balanced approach.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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