SHILLONG, April 24: Byrnihat, declared the most polluted city in the world in February this year, has seen a marked improvement in air quality, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to the ‘moderate’ category in recent weeks.
In March, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) had carried out a series of surprise inspections and environmental audits of industries in and around Byrnihat. These actions were taken after Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma directed immediate regulatory intervention and coordinated with the Assam government for joint monitoring of industrial activities on both sides of the state border.
A statement issued by the MSPSB said, “The action taken by the Chief Minister has brought a landmark in controlling and regulating air pollution in the said areas. MSPCB had completed Environmental audit of the industries along with certain set of directions to erring industries to comply as per existing norms. Further, it is also seen that Assam Pollution officials simultaneously are also on the job of monitoring air polluting industries falling within Byrnihat.”
Inspections revealed that all operational units within the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) in Byrnihat were complying with emission norms. Pollution control devices, online emission monitoring systems, and other measures such as water sprinklers and surveillance cameras were found to be in place. Non-operational industries were also found to have monitoring infrastructure in readiness.
The MSPCB had earlier issued closure notices and penalties to industries found violating pollution norms during checks in January and February. These units were permitted to resume operations by mid-March after implementing corrective measures.
Air quality data from four manual monitoring stations in Byrnihat during the third week of April showed an average AQI of 110. Data from the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) at CASFOS, 13th Mile Tamulkuchi on the Assam side, recorded a similar AQI of 123 on April 21. Both readings fall under the ‘moderate’ category and mark a significant improvement from earlier “severe” levels.
Officials attributed the improvement to stricter enforcement, functioning emission control mechanisms, sporadic rainfall, and ongoing coordination between pollution control authorities of Meghalaya and Assam.
Authorities have recommended continued audits, real-time emission tracking, and closer inter-state coordination to ensure sustained improvement in air quality.

SHILLONG, April 24: The Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase III, weighed down by multiple challenges, faces more delays.
PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak said the initial hurdle was the insufficient sanctioned amount. The additional funds took time.
“Later, issues of land, clearance from the Forest Department, and the Shillong Cantonment Board came up. These delayed the project,” he said.
Asked about the delay in road construction in Upper Shillong due to pipe-laying, he said it is no longer an issue. “Everyone knows our towns are unplanned, and there is no space. We have to dig up the roads, for which permission takes time, as we cannot disturb the traffic movement,” Marak said.
Minister defends JJM implementation
The minister dismissed allegations of shoddy implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state, asserting that it is being done transparently despite the challenges.
“The work is going on well. There are issues of sources drying up. The government is  trying to address the issue,” he said.
Rebutting the charges of corruption, he said: “Once the JJM work is completed, a third party inspects and recommends for payment. Only then does the government make the payment to the contractors. So there is no chance of corruption.”
On Rajabala MLA, Mizanur Rahman Kazi’s claim that a bogus tap connection exists in his name, he assured that the matter will be looked into.
Marak said it takes a lot of convincing for a landowner to give an NOC for a treatment plant or for laying pipes. “When they don’t agree, work gets delayed. We also get stuck when NOC is required from the Forest Department,” he added.
He, however, said the drying up of water sources has been one of the biggest challenges. “The government is taking initiatives to resolve this problem,” he said.
Marak said the reluctance of some village authorities to take ownership of completed projects has been a major challenge.
“While some village authorities have taken the responsibility seriously, others are not interested. We have to step in to resolve things,” he said.
“Then there are projects taking too long to complete because contractors have abandoned them. Handing these to others costs time,” he said.
Marak said the government has set 2028 as the target to complete the JJM work in Meghalaya, but efforts are on to complete it earlier.

Sniawbhalang Dhar dismisses RTI activist’s recent claims

SHILLONG, April 24: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday rubbished the allegation of financial irregularities in the redevelopment of the Laitumkhrah Municipal Market.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar, who is also the Urban Affairs Minister, said the department will not release any payments to the contractor until the project is fully completed.
Recently, RTI activist Napoleon S Mawphniang had demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the project.
Dhar said, “If he believes there are irregularities, he is free to seek an investigation. But as far as I’m concerned, there is none.”
He emphasised that the project is still under construction and added that any questions or criticisms regarding its implementation should only arise after its completion.
Addressing concerns over the delay of the project, he said some shopkeepers will need to relocate to the completed section of the market complex so work on the remaining part can be taken up. He clarified that the delay was not due to any fault of the contractor.
Asked about reports of escalation in project costs, Dhar said he did not have the details.
Responding to the RTI activist’s claim that the father of the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs is the project’s primary contractor, he remarked, “Does being related to a minister mean you are barred from undertaking contract work?”
Earlier, Mawphniang submitted a petition to Governor CH Vijayashankar and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, requesting them for a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities.
He had alleged financial mismanagement, procedural violations, conflict of interest, and failure to comply with environmental regulations.
Shillong Airport project
Talking about the Shillong airport expansion project, Dhar said it is set to commence soon, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issuing a tender for construction work.
The project aims to extend the current runway by 571 meters, bringing its total length to 2,400 meters.
The deputy chief minister expects larger aircraft to land at the airport by the end of 2026, and once complete, larger flights from Guwahati and Delhi airports will also land at Shillong Airport.
The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 500 crore.
The AAI submitted a draft master plan for the airport’s expansion in August 2024, and the land acquisition process for the additional 22 acres is currently underway.
The expansion is expected to improve Shillong’s air connectivity with major Indian cities, boost tourism, business travel, and regional development.

SHILLONG, April 24: Seven villages surrounding the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Ri-Bhoi have unanimously opposed a proposed eco-tourism project worth Rs 23.60 crore awarded to E-Factor Experiences Ltd, claiming they were never consulted and fearing the development will damage the sanctuary’s fragile ecosystem.
The decision came during a meeting of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (Raid Sohkhwai), a collective of village headmen.
The headmen criticized the Wildlife Department for bypassing local communities and proceeding with the project without informing or involving them in the decision-making process.
Headmen from villages like Umsohma and Umladoh raised strong objections, stating that the sanctuary has been carefully preserved by locals for generations and warned that introducing tourism infrastructure would lead to pollution and long-term environmental damage. They also questioned how a tourist project could be allowed when even locals are restricted from entering the sanctuary.
The meeting concluded with the unanimous signing of a motion titled “Motion Against the Impending Rs. 23.60 crore Infra Project at the Sanctuary”, with all participating headmen appending their signatures.
The villagers urged both the Government and environmental organisations to respect their collective decision and safeguard the sanctuary from commercialisation.

SHILLONG, April 24: The Border Security Force on Thursday said 78 Bangladeshi nationals and 37 Indians were caught for illegal entry and smuggling activities during the first quarter of 2025, indicating there has been no let-up in infiltration attempts from Bangladesh into India via the Meghalaya stretch of the international border.
The BSF’s Meghalaya Frontier headquarters in Shillong stated that six touts accused of facilitating these cross-border movements were also arrested. The information obtained during preliminary questioning has been shared with state police and other agencies for follow-up investigation into the broader networks at play.
The BSF claimed it seized contraband items and 750 cattle worth an estimated Rs 11.70 crore in various operations.
The agency also highlighted ongoing communication with its counterpart, the Border Guards Bangladesh, through field commander-level meetings aimed at addressing border-related concerns and improving coordination.
Officials noted that inputs derived from those apprehended are being used to identify and track down other individuals involved in the facilitation of cross-border crime.
Meanwhile, the HYC urged the authorities to establish checkpoints or nakas within the jurisdiction of the Shella police station to tackle increasing cross-border infiltration and illegal activities.
In a letter addressed to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem expressed concern over the reported influx of Bangladeshi nationals, particularly through the porous India-Bangladesh border areas under Shella’s jurisdiction.
According to Synrem, incidents of illegal infiltration by Bangladeshi nationals have risen in recent months, especially during the night.
He claimed that illegal cross-border trade has been flourishing in the area, and the infiltrators might be using the same routes and vehicles involved in these unlawful activities, often with assistance from local intermediaries or dalals.
“As per our information, there are currently no designated checkpoints on the major roads connecting Shella and border villages to Sohra and Shillong within the Shella PS jurisdiction, which makes it difficult to detect and prevent the movement of illegal Bangladeshi nationals,” Synrem said.
He pointed out that the residents and members of HYC have often helped apprehend suspicious individuals and hand them over to the police. “However, this is neither practical nor sustainable for civilians to continue with this role, especially during the night,” he emphasised.
The HYC demanded the immediate establishment of round-the-clock checkpoints at strategic locations in the Shella police station area and the broader Sohra Civil Sub-Division, given its proximity to the international border.
Synrem sought standard operating procedures for police personnel manning these checkpoints to ensure effective surveillance. He recommended systematic checking of individuals and vehicles and the collection of evidence, including digital data, to curb cross-border crimes effectively.

Shillong, April 24: All Catholic educational institutes in Shillong will remain closed on Friday as a gesture of respect for Pope Francis, following an appeal by Auxiliary Bishop of Shillong, Rev. Bernard Laloo on Thursday.
In an appeal to all the Principals and Heads of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Shillong, Rev. Laloo requested all the Catholic educational institutes to remain closed on Friday with proper information to the Education Department.
“Let us continue to pray for the Church and our beloved Holy Father that the merciful Father welcomes him in His eternal abode,” Rev Laloo said.
He also requested all the Parishes to conduct Holy Mass at 10 am on Saturday, the day of the funeral.
“Let us place ourselves and the Church under the protection and intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary,” the Auxiliary Bishop of Shillong added.

SHILLONG, April 24: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids in several parts of South Garo Hills in connection with alleged illegal coal mining and the operation of unauthorised coke plants.
Sources informed The Shillong Times that the ED simultaneously conducted raids in multiple locations across both Meghalaya and Assam, targeting businessmen from both states.
Approximately 20 sites in South Garo Hills were reportedly raided as part of the operation.
The raids focused on individuals believed to be involved in the management and operation of the suspected illegal mining and coke plants, sources added.
South Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Shailendra Bamaniya confirmed the ED raids and said that information was scarce as no local officials were informed.

SHILLONG, April 24: A city resident was arrested on Thursday for making anti-national comments on a video of a private news channel from Assam in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem confirmed that one Simon Shylla (30), a resident of Umlyngka, had posted anti-national comments on a video aired by a news channel from Assam about the Pahalgam terror attack, using his Facebook account “Man Shylla”.
Shylla had supported the terrorists in their killings and exhorted the terrorists to initiate such attacks on a particular community in the North East, the SP said, adding that he was threatening the unity and integrity of the country.
After ascertaining his identity, police arrested Shylla from his residence at Umlyngka and seized two mobile phones from his possession. He will be produced in the court on Friday.