By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 14: As part of a joint enforcement drive in compliance with the orders of the High Court of Meghalaya, 11 illegal coke plants were demolished in East Jaintia Hills district on Saturday for violating environmental norms.
The demolition drive was carried out by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills, represented by Sub-Divisional Officer M. Kumar, in coordination with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), represented by Environmental Engineer Y.F. Laloo.
Officials informed that out of the 11 coke plants demolished, seven were non-consented units that were dismantled by the authorities, while four plants were voluntarily demolished by their owners following official directives.
A total of 16 coke plants were identified in the district as having been set up without mandatory approvals under government norms, of which five had been demolished earlier.
The action forms part of a larger statewide crackdown on illegal and non-compliant industrial units. Earlier, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, in coordination with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills district, had demolished 17 illegal coke plants in West Khasi Hills as part of the same enforcement initiative.
State authorities reiterated their firm commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring strict adherence to the High Court’s orders. They further stated that similar enforcement actions will continue against all illegal and environmentally non-compliant industrial activities across Meghalaya.
