SHILLONG, April 2: The members of the Dorbar Shnong, Wapungskur, led by Waheh Shnong Wapungskur Postling Dkhar, on Wednesday stopped the proposed establishment of a LAM Coke manufacturing unit at Thlukure Wahtongtiang in Mookhep village of East Jaintia Hills district.
The Dorbar Shnong was surprised to learn that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) had granted the Consent to Establish (CTE) for the unit on March 7 without consulting or informing the community.
The Waheh Shnong of Wapungskur questioned how the Board had approved the CTE without conducting a public hearing.
According to the MSPCB, the CTE was granted to Om Om Coke for the establishment of the coke unit with a single chimney. The cost was estimated at Rs 4.50 crore.
The MSPCB stated that while consent was granted based on the details provided by the applicant, approval is subject to fulfilment of additional conditions as required. The consent will be deemed invalid if any modifications, alterations, or deviations occur in actual operations.
The Board said the CTE will remain valid till February 28, 2026, unless suspended or revoked. The validity may be extended, if necessary, until the industry is ready for commercial production.
The Board also said that the consent may be modified, suspended or revoked in full or in part for various reasons, including violations of any terms and conditions, misrepresentation, failure to disclose relevant information, or changes in conditions that require temporary or permanent adjustments to emissions and discharges.
Additionally, the MSPCB emphasised that the CTE does not confer any property rights, exclusive privileges, or authorisation for any harm to private property, invasion of personal rights, or violation of central, state or local laws and regulations.
The unit must be established at the designated site while adhering to siting norms as per the Meghalaya government’s notification on July 29, 2024.
According to the norms, the unit must be set up at a minimum distance of 500 meters from the main road (national highway), at least 1 km from the outer limits of inhabited villages and key public places such as hospitals, schools, and tourist spots; at least 100 meters away from major streams, rivers or lakes, and that there should be a distance of at least 1 km between two coke plants.
The MSPCB further stated that the CTE authorises the production of specified products/by-products with a total project cost of Rs 4.50 crore.
To protect the environment and maintain ecological balance, the Board stated that the industry must develop a green belt around the plant by planting selected tree species that grow up to a minimum height of five meters at maturity, with spacing of one meter between them.
Additionally, the Board mandated that the industry must implement adequate noise control measures to comply with prescribed standards.
