Cabinet Minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun has highlighted that the escalating pollution levels in Byrnihat are a collective issue involving industries from both Meghalaya and Assam. He emphasized that the accountability should not rest solely on the Meghalaya side, as industrial operations across the interstate border are contributing significantly to the pollution.
Sohtun acknowledged ongoing efforts to mitigate pollution but noted that some industrial units remain non-compliant with environmental regulations. He affirmed that the Meghalaya government is dedicated to controlling pollution and improving monitoring systems. He called upon state authorities to engage the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Assam Pollution Control Board to enforce stricter measures against industries that breach environmental guidelines.
When questioned about the absence of real-time pollution data, Sohtun explained that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has been actively monitoring pollution levels. Nonetheless, he admitted that there are still instances of violations by certain industries, which complicates the oversight process.
Byrnihat is a recognized industrial zone straddling the Assam–Meghalaya border and has consistently ranked among the most polluted cities in India, as reported by IQAir and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). In response to these alarming assessments, the MSPCB has conducted surprise inspections and environmental audits of local industries. It has suggested the need for ongoing audits, the establishment of real-time emission monitoring systems, and enhanced cooperation between Meghalaya and Assam to effectively address air quality issues in the region.
+ There are no comments
Add yours