“It’s disappointing to see the state govt encouraging external private companies to set up cement plants, despite their negative environmental impacts. Political leaders should not gamble with the lives and future of the people”
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/JOWAI, Oct 14: The FKJGP-East Jaintia Hills District Unit (EJHDU) met Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) member secretary, GH Chyrmang, on Monday to raise objections to the public hearing scheduled for October 18 regarding Meghatop Cement Pvt Ltd’s proposal to establish a cement plant at Wahiajer, Narpuh.
Meghatop Cement Pvt Ltd plans to set up an Integrated Cement Plant with a capacity of 3.3 MTPA Clinker, 2.8 MTPA Cement, and a 16MW Waste Heat Recovery System.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, FKJGP-EJHDU president Deihok Sumer expressed concerns about the increasing number of cement plants in the district. According to him, the proliferation of cement factories poses a serious threat to water bodies and the environment.
“We are already facing the problems of air and water pollution due to the existing cement factories,” Sumer said.
He recalled that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had to intervene by banning coal mining due to environmental degradation.
“It is disappointing to see the state government encouraging external private companies to set up cement plants, despite their negative environmental impacts. Political leaders should not gamble with the lives and futures of the people in the district,” Sumer added.
Sumer noted that other pressure groups, like the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), are also opposing the project. He expressed hope that the residents of Elaka Narpuh would realize the harmful impact the growing number of cement plants is having on the environment.
“We don’t want to see another cement plant in the district. There are already eight operating cement plants,” he said.
Meanwhile, MSPCB member secretary GH Chyrmang explained that the proposed Meghatop Cement Pvt Ltd project falls under Category A (those that have minimal environmental impacts) as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF).
Chyrmang clarified that the Pollution Control Board’s role is limited to conducting the public hearing with the support of the East Jaintia Hills district administration. He emphasised that conducting the hearing does not mean that the board will issue the Consent to Establish (CTE) or Consent to Operate (CTO) for the project.
“The public hearing is a requirement before the company can obtain environmental clearance (EC) from the MOEF. Our job is to record the public’s views, whether for or against the project, and submit them to the Ministry,” Chyrmang said. He added that any petitions received in writing would also be forwarded to the Ministry
“We play no role in the decision to issue the EC. That authority lies solely with the MOEF,” he clarified. Chyrmang also stated that the Pollution Control Board will only issue the CTE and CTO after the company obtains environmental clearance from the Ministry.
HYC picks holes in move to set up cement factory
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), East Jaintia Hills district has strongly opposed the upcoming public hearing.
The HYC’s opposition aligns with the concerns of residents of Wahiajer village, as well as those from Narpuh Elaka and the broader district community. The council asserts that the voices of the people must be prioritized and that their concerns cannot be ignored by authorities at any level.
Alleging that despite the numerous cement factories already present in East Jaintia Hills, unemployment remains a major issue, the HYC said this phenomenon prompts it to oppose the establishment of yet another factory.
Additionally, it highlighted the severe environmental impact of the existing plants, particularly the contribution to air pollution and dust emissions, which pose significant health risks to the community.
In light of these concerns, the HYC has urged the MSPCB to cancel the proposed public hearing and consider the long-term environmental and health impacts on local residents.