Shillong, November 13: Seventeen of the 42 industries in Byrnihat have been placed under the red category, prompting the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to constitute a task force to inspect the industrial area on the Assam side.
The development came to light during a hearing before the Meghalaya High Court on November 10 in a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning pollution in Byrnihat.
The CPCB, in an affidavit submitted to the court, listed the action taken to address pollution in the industrial belt. The constitution of the task force is significant as pollution in Byrnihat has remained a concern for people living in the area on both sides of the Meghalaya-Assam border.
The court also examined reports filed by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), NHIDCL, Ri-Bhoi district administration and the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), outlining steps taken to tackle pollution.
The MSPCB said it had carried out inspections and monitoring of industrial units and was looking into effluent discharge, sewage, industrial waste and drains flowing into the Umtrew River. A Joint Action Committee has also been formed for the Byrnihat industrial area. The board further informed the court about plans to set up a regional office at Byrnihat and expand water quality monitoring along the river.
NHIDCL, meanwhile, reported measures to control dust and prevent waste dumping along the 61.80-km national highway stretch under its control. Mesh nets have been installed along bridge barricades and adjoining areas to stop people from throwing waste over the bridge.
The Ri-Bhoi district administration told the court that a material recovery centre was being constructed on MIDC land. Electric vehicles have also been distributed through the Umsning block to encourage cleaner transport in villages around Byrnihat.
MIDC has separately reported work to improve the internal road connecting Maithan Alloys with Shyam Century at the Export Promotion Industrial Park.
Taking note of the steps taken by the Meghalaya pollution control authorities, the High Court observed that there had been improvement in action against polluting units. It accordingly dropped the notices issued to MSPCB Member Secretary Dr George Hagi Chyrmang and Senior Environmental Engineer Sandrew Syiem.
The court had earlier sought explanations from the two officials over the lack of adequate action to address the pollution problem. Their personal appearance has also been dispensed with.
The PIL will come up for further hearing on December 7, by which time the amicus curiae, Philemon Nongbri, will have the opportunity to examine the reports and supporting documents submitted by the authorities.
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