Local MLA flags impact of Byrnihat pollution

SHILLONG, April 22: After the area was labeled as the world’s most polluted, local MLA Sosthenes Sohtun has finally broken his silence, acknowledging the impact of pollution on the lives of residents.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Jirang MLA Sohtun said it is the people living in the area who witness firsthand how environmental regulations are being flouted.
Emphasising the need for cross-border collaboration, he pointed out that the Byrnihat industrial area spans both Meghalaya and Assam. “We cannot claim the pollution comes solely from Assam or Meghalaya. It affects people on both sides. As an MLA, I will take the initiative to meet my counterpart in Assam so we can address this issue jointly,” he stated.
Calling for strict action against factories violating environmental norms, Sohtun welcomed the recent surprise inspections carried out by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) in Byrnihat.
However, he stressed that such inspections must not be a one-time exercise.
“This shouldn’t just be a one-off measure. These inspections need to happen regularly so industrialists don’t get chances to flout the MSPCB’s rules,” he added.
Underscoring the need for a more permanent presence of the pollution control authority in Byrnihat, Sohtun voiced strong support for MSPCB’s proposal to acquire land and establish a local office in the industrial area.
“Right now, surprise inspections involve officials traveling from Shillong. If information leaks during that time, the whole purpose is defeated. But with a local office, authorities can respond swiftly and more effectively,” he said.