SHILONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has granted six weeks’ time to the Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner for filing latest status report on controlling discharge of solid and liquid waste into the Umran river.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the latest status report in the form of additional affidavit was filed by the additional chief secretary stating that the deputy commissioner in order to control the discharge of solid and liquid waste into the river has issued notices to several shopkeepers, restaurants and house owners, petrol pumps and other units to construct soak pit following the design given by the Public Health Engineering (PHE), Nongpoh Division.
Responses to the notices were not received so far and the counsel submitted that reasonable time may be granted so as to enable the deputy commissioner to ensure positive responses.
He further stated that the units concerned require some time for construction of soak pit in accordance with the design as given by PHE, and six weeks’ time was granted for filing latest status by the DC.
According to the status report, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board is monitoring the quality of water.
In support of result of the water samples collected have been annexed with the status report revealing Page 2 of 2 that turbidity level shows an improvement during the monitoring period i.e. month of August, 2018 compared to that of the months of June-July, 2018.
The DC has assured that the departments concerned and authorities will take all measures to reduce the turbidity of the river and he will continue monitoring so as to ensure the authorities to act with promptitude and sincerity.
Latest status report of samples as shall be taken from time to time from Wednesday, the Court said and the matter has been listening after six weeks again.
