Acting on the direction of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, senior officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) on Thursday conducted a comprehensive audit and assessment of industrial units in Byrnihat. The officials examined four industrial units responsible for emitting pollutants. The drive will continue in the coming days and a detailed report will be submitted to the state government within seven days as directed.
MSPCB Member Secretary GH Chyrmang told the media the inspection is part of the government’s efforts to address air pollution in Byrnihat which was tagged as one of the most polluted areas in the world in 2024. Chyrmang said the MSPCB set up a task force over a year ago to regularly inspect and monitor major industrial units. He said smaller factories are audited by one or two officers as required.
According to Chyrmang, the state government and the MSPCB are committed to exploring solutions for taking Byrnihat out of its current polluted status. He said pollution in the area is not caused by industries in Meghalaya alone but also due to industrial emissions from Assam. He said the Meghalaya government has formally reached out to the Assam government, urging collaboration to address the issue. He also said that recent media reports indicated the Pollution Control Board of Assam has begun taking measures similar to those implemented by the MSPCB.
