Shillong: The Central Pollution Control Board has launched a task force to inspect industrial units in Byrnihat. The team will specifically probe the Assam side of the industrial belt. Officials marked 17 of the 42 local units as red category polluters. This action follows a November 10 Meghalaya High Court hearing regarding a public interest litigation on regional environmental damage.
Pollution in the Umtrew River remains a priority. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board is now tracking untreated effluents, sewage, and industrial waste. The board is also setting up a Joint Action Committee and plans to open a regional office. They intend to expand their water quality monitoring network across the river.
Infrastructure projects are also under pressure. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited installed mesh nets on a 61.80-km highway stretch to stop waste dumping. The Ri-Bhoi district administration is building a material recovery centre on land owned by the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation. They also distributed electric vehicles in the Umsning block to reduce emissions.
The court acknowledged better enforcement by state authorities. Consequently, the bench dropped notices against Member Secretary Dr George Hagi Chyrmang and Senior Environmental Engineer Sandrew Syiem. The court stated that these officials showed "improvement in the action taken" regarding polluting units. Both men no longer need to appear in person.
Proceedings resume on December 7. Amicus curiae Philemon Nongbri will review all submitted reports before that date.
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