SHILLONG, May 8: The Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has imposed a fine of Rs 33.6 lakh on M/s Shree Shakambari Ferro Alloys Pvt. Ltd., located in Rwiang, West Khasi Hills, for repeated violations of environmental norms.
The MSPCB has also ordered the immediate closure of the plant under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
It may be mentioned that the penalty has been imposed in the wake of a surprise midnight inspection conducted on January 30 and 31, 2025, which revealed that the unit was operating without activating its mandatory Pollution Control Devices (PCDs), resulting in heavy and hazardous emissions.
According to the inspection report, officials observed thick smoke billowing from the plant even before entering the premises. At around 11:32 pm, they confirmed that the PCDs were switched off and emitting no sound—indicating they were not operational.
Further, significant fugitive emissions were noted from both the main plant and its Captive Power Plant (CPP). The Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) was either not connected to the emission stack or had been tampered with, raising serious concerns about transparency and data manipulation.
A second inspection the following morning found the PCDs still turned off, confirming the violations were not incidental but ongoing.
Additional lapses included coal and charcoal stored outside designated sheds, uncemented factory grounds contributing to dust pollution and an unlined drainage system and Failure to transmit emissions data since March 28, 2024.
The Board invoked recent orders of the National Green Tribunal, which empower state pollution control boards to impose environmental compensation under the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle.
The Rs 33.6 lakh fine was calculated using the methodology developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
“The unit has been directed to pay the compensation within 15 days and remain shut until further orders,” the Board stated in its notice, warning of stricter legal action if the directives are not followed.
