Shillong: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on Tuesday issued closure notices to six industrial units in Byrnihat following a recent inspection. The units affected include Shillong ISPAT and Rolling Mill, Shyam Century Ferrous Limited, Nalari Ferro Alloys Pvt Ltd, Jaintia Ferro Alloys Pvt Ltd, Maithan Alloys Ltd (Ferro Manganese), and Khasi Alloys Ltd.
These shutdown orders were prompted by the units’ failure to adhere to environmental pollution regulations and significant lapses in pollution control. The investigation, led by Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment Sampath Kumar, found that these units were not complying with several critical norms, including the lack of a designated meter for Pollution Control Devices (PCD).
The inspection also revealed that the units did not meet directives for controlling emissions, including levels of Particulate Matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). PM 2.5 levels were recorded at 64.2 μg/m³, well above the safe air quality limit of 35 μg/m³ over a 24-hour period.
Kumar’s inspection covered 10 industrial units, of which six were found in violation of environmental norms despite repeated warnings from the MSPCB.
This enforcement action follows an October 2023 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which identified Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district as the most polluted town in India, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 302. The report has spurred state authorities into action.
In response to the report, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong expressed concern, attributing much of Byrnihat’s pollution to factories and industries on the Assam side of the border, which often escape proper monitoring. Tynsong noted that while the MSPCB closely monitors factories on the Meghalaya side, those in Assam are frequently unregulated.
Byrnihat, located on the Meghalaya-Assam border, has become a focal point for environmental issues due to its industrial activities.
