SHILLONG: Less than half of the total industries operating in Meghalaya are running without effluent treatment plants.
This was revealed in an RTI filed by a resident from Shillong with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board.
The RTI says there are altogether 264 industries in Meghalaya, including 25 industries in ‘Red’ category, 135 industries in ‘Orange’ category and 64 in ‘Green’ category.
The RTI reveals that in the ‘Red’ category that mostly comprises cement industries and limestone mining, only 10 of the 25 industries have effluent treatment plants.
Similarly, only 36 out of the 135 industries under ‘Orange’ category have treatment plants.
This category mostly deals with stone crushing units, stone crushers and diesel generators.
In a positive sign, most of the industries in ‘Green’ category comprising hotels and restaurants have treatment plants. Under this category, there are 64 industries and 59 are complying by the rule.
