Shillong: Meghalaya is pushing the Nonghali scientific landfill project toward its final environmental approval. Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar confirmed the government is drafting the final Environmental Impact Assessment and the Environmental Management Plan. These documents will soon go to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for review.
The project, an integrated solid waste processing and disposal site, must satisfy the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2026. The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board held a public hearing for the plan on September 23, 2025. Litigation stalled the progress for months. The High Court of Meghalaya finally closed the case on July 14, 2026. Officials identified 112 acres at Nonghali to serve Shillong and the surrounding regions.
Dhar noted that land acquisition will only start once the green light from environmental regulators arrives. Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang questioned the timeline during the assembly session. He noted that the project remains far from completion. Marbaniang said, "It was clear from the government’s response that the proposed project would still take some time before becoming operational."
Marbaniang pressed the government on the potential health risks for those living near the current Mawlai waste site. He demanded to know if officials conducted any health impact assessments for local residents. The city continues to struggle with waste disposal as existing facilities reach capacity.
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