Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court recognized progress in cleaning up Byrnihat. Officials finally took action. A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh reviewed reports from five different agencies. These included the MSPCB, NHIDCL, CPCB, Ri-Bhoi district administration, and MIDC.
The court dropped notices against MSPCB Member Secretary Dr. George Hagi Chyrmang and Senior Environmental Engineer Sandrew Syiem. It also excused them from appearing in person. Judges previously felt these officials failed to address local pollution. They had ordered the officers to submit affidavits and show up. New reports changed the court's mind.
The MSPCB detailed efforts to monitor industrial units and clean the Umtrew river. They formed a Joint Action Committee. They also plan to build a regional office in Byrnihat. The board reported, "The court observed that there had been improvement in the action taken by MSPCB officials against polluting industrial units."
Roadwork and waste management projects are moving forward. NHIDCL maintains 61.8 kilometers of highway. They installed mesh nets on bridge barricades to stop illegal dumping. The Ri-Bhoi administration finished a material recovery center. They also passed out electric vehicles to cut air pollution in local villages. The MIDC continues work on internal park roads.
Amicus curiae Philemon Nongbri requested more time to review the pile of new documents. The court will hold the next hearing on December 7, 2026. The CPCB reported that 17 of 42 industries near the area fall into the red category. A task force now watches the Assam side of the industrial zone.
Updated at 12th November 2026 at 11:15pm
MSPCB is expanding its water quality monitoring network along the Umtrew river and has officially secured land for its new regional base in the area. The board backed these updates with laboratory test results submitted directly to the bench.
The Ri-Bhoi district administration is channeling its electric vehicle rollout through the Umsning Community and Rural Development Block. The goal is to push eco-friendly transport in the villages bordering the industrial zone.
MIDC specified that its road repair project is focused on the stretch connecting Maithan Alloys to Shyam Century within the Export Promotion Industrial Park.
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